Comparing Countertops 101

When choosing a countertop for your kitchen you want both spot-on style and killer quality. We’re sure a few materials come to mind, but figuring out which type of kitchen countertop is the best fit for your home and budget can be a bit tricky. Here we’ll evaluate the most popular countertop materials to help you pick the one that’s right for you.

Laminate Kitchen Countertops

If the word laminate alone makes you shudder, it’s time to change your opinion on this inexpensive, durable and versatile countertop material. Yes, laminate is pretty much a piece of plastic glued onto a board, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look great or last long. That “piece of plastic” is soaked, treated and sealed to make it highly resistant to stains and grease. With proper care and installation, laminate offers a great countertop option at a fraction of the cost.

Granite Kitchen Countertops

Granite offers a level of uniqueness that no other countertop material can provide. Since it is made from natural stone, no two pieces will be the same. For a long time, granite was considered a very high-end material, and was not an affordable option for the majority of homeowners. With more shipping possibilities and advanced technologies, granite has become more accessible, and is now one of the most popular countertop materials. Granite is sold in 9×5 foot slabs, so if your kitchen remodel requires different measurements, you will most likely incur a “waste fee” to cover the unused material. You can avoid these excess charges by keeping these dimensions in mind when planning your kitchen design.

Engineered Stone Kitchen Countertops

A hybrid of crushed down rock and polyester or acrylic resin, engineered stone gives the look of natural stone, but is less fragile. Since it is manufactured, it’s also available in a wider range of colors, making it a likely choice for those trying to match their countertops with a specific kitchen cabinet finish or flooring. The downfall of engineered stone is that it is a bit pricey; you are almost paying as much as you would for natural stone without getting the real thing. It is less likely to scratch than granite, but cracking is still possible.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertops

Found in most restaurant kitchens, stainless steel countertops are attractive for their anti-microbial properties and ability to resist heat. They are less common in homes partly because they can be expensive and hard to come by, but also because they are hard to keep as spotless and shiny as you imagine. Stainless steel countertops show water spots more easily, and can be smudged up when touched by greasy hands.

Wood Kitchen Countertops

Wood countertops are beautiful, but can easily be damaged by water, making it difficult to keep their appearance, especially around sinks. On the plus side, wood countertops are considered resistant to bacteria, and won’t dull your knife during food prep. A penetrating oil or finish will need to be applied to protect wood countertops, and will make touching up scratches much easier. Wood is best as an attractive accent countertop, for example, on a kitchen island.

Tile Kitchen Countertops

DIY’ers love tile countertops because they can install them on their own, and tile comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes. The drawback of tile is the grout, which can make keeping that clean appearance a bit more difficult. Some varieties of tile can also be porous (like marble and limestone), meaning they can stain and become discolored over time. Using large tile in a hard, non-porous material (like porcelain) can offer less maintenance while being just as much fun.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Shaker Cabinets: the Hottest Kitchen Trend of 2016

Known for its clean lines, minimalist design, and exceptional quality, the Shaker style of design originated centuries ago and has stood the test of time. Not only is the Shaker style still popular in homes today; Shaker kitchen cabinets are one of the hottest kitchen trends of 2016. Find out why!

Shaker History

The Shakers left England in 1774, breaking away from the Quakers to form their own religious society in the American colonies. Largely self-sufficient, they grew their own food, built their own homes, and manufactured their own furniture with a distinct look, based on the guiding Shaker principles of honesty, utility, and simplicity. Each piece was given thoughtful consideration to proportion and functionality, and built with utmost quality.

Shaker Today

Homeowners can rest assured they are making a good choice when it comes to Shaker cabinetry. Home trends come and go, but Shaker design has remained a constant in American homes. With its clean, simple lines, Shaker cabinetry fits just about any taste, from traditional to contemporary and everything in-between. It is one hot trend that’s not going away next year or anytime soon, making Shaker cabinetry a great investment for your home.

Shaker Options

Our Society Shaker cabinet series comes in a variety of colors and glazes. Choose from Society Shaker White, Canvas, Tidewater, Sage, Dove Gray, Khaki, Red, Steel Gray, Black and more, all with the quality and value Willow Lane Cabinetry is known for. We feature plywood box construction, soft close drawer glides, and a full overlay design. If you’re looking for a timeless look to enhance your kitchen then these are the cabinets for you!

Seeing is Believing

Still not sure about Shaker cabinets? We have a wide variety of other styles and finishes on our website. Or speak with one of our knowledgeable designers and take advantage of our free kitchen design service. Our designers will work with you one-on-one to develop a sincere, trusting relationship. We work hard to make sure you are completely satisfied with your design, all your questions are answered, and that you are getting the best price possible.

How It Works

Our designers will work with you via email or phone to bring your kitchen to life. We can work with any space or budget to get you a great kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a big box store. Fill out the form on our website and within 48 hours you will get:

A custom layout that is both functional and looks great
Photorealistic renderings to see how it all looks in your space
An itemized list of what you need and what it all costs

If you are looking to remodel your existing kitchen, or starting from scratch in a new home, shake things up and consider Shaker cabinets. There is a reason this style has stood the test of time, and tops the list of kitchen trends this year. When it comes to form and function, historically speaking, Shaker is it!

Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.

Sleek City Style: Minimalist Design For Small Kitchens

Big city, little kitchen. It’s a common complaint of urban dwellers living in cramped quarters — but with a few modern design hacks you can create a comfortable kitchen with any square footage. Here are a few tips to get you there.

Let Function Flourish

It’s natural to want your kitchen to be a lot of things, like a place to do work, a place to relax, and a place to entertain. But if space is limited your best bet is to forego those luxuries in lieu of a kitchen that can serve its purpose — being a place to store and prepare food. Opt for smaller appliances (think two burner ovens and compact dishwashers) so that your kitchen can serve all your needs and not lack in function.

Create Style in the Foundation

The floor plan of a small kitchen is typically very simple. The goal of the designer was to get you a nice row of kitchen cabinets, a little room to walk around and enough space to accommodate appliances. Since small kitchens lack that oomph some larger kitchens offer, your kind of interesting has to come in a different form. Pick a pretty tile and install an eye-catching backsplash or put in flooring that really steals the show. When the foundation of your kitchen is creative and beautiful, that awkward floor plan will be overshadowed by style.

Put Your Eyes on the Portable

Lack of countertop space is a common conundrum with small kitchen designs. The easiest way to crush this problem without putting any more clutter in your kitchen is a portable island or cart. A kitchen island that you can roll out when you need it and hide in a closet when you don’t? I can’t think of a more spot on solution.

Open Your Heart to Open Shelving and Glass Front Doors

With open shelving and cabinets with glass front doors, you see the space where your dinnerware is stored and create a more airy feel to your kitchen. Open shelving and glass front doors offer ways to decorate a small kitchen without drowning it in disarray. I doubt you want to share your limited countertop space with a decorative vase, but placed among your plates? I don’t see why not.

Look Up for Great Guidance

A ceiling is probably the most overlooked storage solution. But install a rack and the wall above your head turns into the perfect place for hanging pots and pans. There are tons of sleek options that let you arrange cookware in an organized fashion that accents your kitchen without making it feel like a hoarder’s paradise.

Let Your Theme Lead the Way

If you’re going for minimalistic and modern, accent lighting is a great way to enhance your contemporary theme and also make your kitchen appear larger. Strategically use incandescent lighting by placing it above and below your upper cabinets. This will create the illusion of more space — and it also just looks really cool and sleek in modern kitchens. You can even put spotlights beneath your base cabinets to create a more dramatic look.

Written by Tiffany. Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.

6 Tips To Transform A Powder Room

It doesn’t take much to transform a powder room into the luxurious space you’ve always envisioned. Not sure how to make your small bathroom sparkle at its best? Here are a few simple suggestions to help you get started.

A More Flattering Light

One of the most important elements of any successful powder room is the lighting. Swap out the traditional exposed-bulb vanity lights for more diffused lighting, such as a frosted-glass sconce. The soft glow will cast a more flattering light on your skin, and will set the tone for your new space.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

A good-sized mirror, with a wall lamp above or on either side, provides sufficient light to illuminate a powder room. The reflecting properties of a mirror can make a small space appear much more airy. Replace that flat, frameless mirror that comes standard in most homes with a lovely oval or rectangular mirror that is uniquely framed to suit your style.

A Beautiful Focal Point

A bathroom should be a tranquil sanctuary, and your powder room is no exception. After all, this is the place where your guests will retreat to freshen up! A vanity serves as the focal point to your space, and should be beautiful. Willow Lane Cabinetry has bathroom vanities in every style, shape, size, finish and budget to turn your dream bathroom into a reality.

Handsome Hardware

Attractive new knobs and cabinet pulls are inexpensive and easy to install. For a quick way to add new life to a small powder room or bathroom with a built-in vanity, consider hardware as the golden opportunity to update your space.

Serene Color Schemes

Small spaces can benefit from a pale color palette, creating the illusion of a larger space. Light gray or brown tones, aqua, powder blue or sage green all work perfectly for a serene spa-like powder room. Bolder colors such as navy can work equally well when paired with crisp white trim, toilet and sink, as long as there is sufficient light in the room.

The Finishing Touches

Take the less is more approach, and choose only the perfect pieces to accessorize and enhance the overall look of your powder room. Start with a unique picture above the toilet or a shelf with a woven basket. Install a quality towel ring near the sink and invest in a few nice hand towels, a pretty soap dispenser, and a nice bathroom area rug to complete the look. Keep in mind that it’s hard to see past clutter. One well-placed object can make a huge difference in a small space, so choose your décor wisely and thoughtfully.

Whether you are looking to add to your current powder room, or completely makeover your space from top to bottom, these tips can help inspire and motivate you to transform a drab powder room into the lovely, tranquil space you have always envisioned.

5 Clever Ways To Rethink Subway Tile

Subway tile is a classic choice for covering shower walls or adding an interesting backsplash above kitchen countertops. Typically, subway tile is installed following a running bond pattern where the tile is installed horizontally (much like when stacking brick). While this traditional method is certainly simple and equally as stunning, it’s not the only way to add subway tile to your home. Here are a few out of the box designs that will change the way you think about subway tile.

Go Vertical

Arranging subway tile vertically rather than horizontally is definitely out of the ordinary and adds flair to a modern or contemporary kitchen. On top of being eye-catching this formation will also make your ceilings appear higher — and who doesn’t appreciate the illusion of more space? All you have to do to achieve this look is follow the classic running bond layout placing tile vertically rather than horizontally. Voila! Your bigger and more breathtaking room awaits.

Work a Weave

Following a double basket weave layout will complement a vintage themed bathroom or cottage style kitchen. Simple and sweet, this arrangement does wonders by giving walls an artistic appeal while also saving you money and frustration. There’s no need to go with some fancy, complicated tile installation with a bunch of different sized tiles in a palette of colors. You can just as easily create a fashion forward look by choosing the same size and color tile and executing this updated rendition of an old school basket weave.

Fish for Herringbone

Creating a zigzag configuration is easy with subway tile, and results in a unique and stunning herringbone design. For an up and down finish place tile on a 45-degree angle, offsetting the joints. Eyes will move up, down and around as the horizontal motion invites guests to look around. Similarly, placing tile at a 90-degree angle will create a herringbone (or chevron) design. This approach will give you a boxier look that is perfect for framing a mural or accenting a particular area in your kitchen.

Stack ‘Em Up

It’s easy for a home to become cluttered and chaotic, but you can keep things calm by bringing balance to walls with a horizontal stacked tile arrangement. In this design pattern, tile is evenly aligned from side to side and top to bottom. Is it minimalistic? Yes. Will it serve as the perfect backdrop to your kitchen or bathroom? Absolutely.

Steal the Show with Stripes

While the previous tile treatments could all be achieved using the same color tile, this pattern looks best when two complementary shades are utilized. To create a stripe pattern, you will alternate between a row of horizontal tile and a row of vertical tile. While this look can be achieved using the same color and size, your stripes will be much more apparent with the contrast of two colors. Using colored grout (such as a dark grey) rather than white can also help to highlight your design and make your stripes pop.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your new kitchen. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Written by Korrie. Korrie Martinez is a self proclaimed DIY pro with an eye for design and a craft for finding simple solutions to homeowner’s common concerns. Her articles offer tips and trends to help The RTA Store’s customers achieve the home of their dreams on a balanced budget. Follow Korrie on Instagram and Twitter @kokonez or visit her website www.korriemartinez.com.

The Recipe For Creating A Gourmet Kitchen

Are you dreaming of a kitchen fit for a foodie? Before you make your dreams a reality, take some time learn about the must-haves of a gourmet kitchen, whether you are a Master Chef, or a homeowner who just really loves to cook!

Start by thinking about the kinds of dishes you like to prepare. Do you dabble in the art of French cooking? Did your Grandmother pass down her famous family recipes to you? Are you a budding pastry chef or cake decorator? Do you like to invite friends over for a home-cooked dinner, or coffee and some freshly baked pie?

Next, consider your new or current floor plan, what you like about it, and what you want to change. If your family likes to help with meal prep, is there enough room for everyone? What tools and appliances do you need and will they fit in your space? Is there ample room for cabinets, or a kitchen island and the extra countertop it affords? Is there plenty of seating options for guests?

Once you review how you use the kitchen, it’s time to make some important decisions. If you are building a new home, or remodeling an existing space, Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Free Kitchen Design Service can help you along the way, but having a clear set of goals will make sure nothing gets left off the plate.

A Taste Of The Gourmet

A Gourmet Kitchen should be both beautiful and functional, with zones for food prep, cooking and baking, serving, and cleaning up when you’re done. Quality kitchen cabinets, high-performance appliances, easy to clean surfaces with plenty of room to work, storage space for cookware, utensils, and other tools of the trade, plus designated areas to keep important ingredients on hand — all these are necessary in a gourmet kitchen. Here are some key features:

A Professional Grade Range: Gourmet cooks prefer gas ranges, or flat induction cooktops that heat quickly and efficiently.

A Double Oven: Because two is better than one when it comes to baking or cooking for a crowd.

A Warming Drawer: A warming drawer allows you keep food warm and fresh until it’s ready to serve with the rest of the meal, so everything is timed perfectly no matter what.

Convection: This option for both ovens and microwaves circulates air around the food to cut down on cook time and ensure an even distribution of heat.

French-Door Refrigerator with Freezer Drawer: The French-door style allows cooks easy access to what’s inside. A freezer drawer offers plenty of space with an ergonomic design.

Dishwasher: A good dishwasher is a must-have for busy kitchens. After all, cooking is way more fun than cleaning.

Countertops: Your countertop is your main workspace. It should be abundant and easy to clean. For durability and stain-resistance, opt for quartz, granite, or stainless steel.

Task Lighting: Both pendant and under cabinet lighting focus on areas where meal prep and cooking happen, so you can see while you work.

Large or Double Sinks: A large sink lets you get all the dirty pots, pans and utensils out of the way while you cook, and simplifies cleanup later.

Tile Backsplash: An easy to clean tile backsplash catches the platters when pan frying, or cooking sauces.

A Kitchen Hood: Functional and attractive, a hood can vent out steam and odors when cooking, and can illuminate the cooktop.

Accessible Spices: Place a spice tray in a drawer near the stove to keep seasonings on hand, or install a door-mounted spice rack for added convenience.

Knife Block: Chefs know knives are their most valuable tools. A trimmable knife block fits in any drawer to store knives nearby for easy access.

Cookware Organizer: Install a hanging pot rack or inside cabinet cookware organizer for all your pots and pans.

Now that you know the recipe for creating a Gourmet Kitchen, let’s get cooking!

Written by Tiffany Buck. Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.

How to Mix Different Cabinet Styles in Your Kitchen

If the thought of incorporating more than one style of cabinets in your kitchen sounds crazy, you may want to think again! This top trend is making its way into homes all over the world, and when you learn a little more about it, you’ll understand why it’s so incredibly popular — and you’ll know how to do it right!

3 Rules To Follow

Mixing and matching cabinets refers to the design concept of using more than one style or finish to make up your cabinet set. There are many ways to go about this, but the goal should always be consistency, simplicity and balance.

Consistency: Choose styles that complement each other, but also meld with the theme of your kitchen. Whenever you’re incorporating a somewhat out-of-the-box design element, it’s important that it doesn’t interfere with the overall vision. Being consistent with every decision in your remodel will ensure you get the results you want. The Free Kitchen Design Service at Willow Lane Cabinetry can help you along the way.

Simplicity: Try not to mix more than three styles (two if you have a smaller kitchen). Overboard means overdone and turns an interesting feature into a questionable choice. Keep it simple and limit your focal points to a few great pieces or additions.

Balance: We’ll get more into this later, but deciding exactly where each cabinet style will go in your design is very important. It will eliminate the possibility of cabinets competing for attention and creating chaos in your kitchen. Take advantage of the Free Kitchen Design Service at Willow Lane Cabinetry to get a solid visual of what your final layout will look like.

When It Works

Using multiple cabinet styles works for almost every kitchen theme, from vintage to contemporary. The key is to mix with purpose so that your cabinetry still looks cohesive, even with the inclusion of different styles or finishes. Best practice is to keep styles separate rather than side-by-side. This would just look disorderly (and about as crazy as you imagined when we first introduced the idea). Instead, plan your layout in sections. For example, if you were going with three cabinet styles you would put one along one wall, one along the other, and the third would be your kitchen island. This way you achieve the dimension and diversity, without the disorder.

How To Choose

Mixing and matching cabinet styles is not an official art but it should be. You need great taste and patience — or at least good guidance! The easiest and most efficient way to mix and match is to pick one style (for example, traditional raised panel cabinetry) and two colors (for example, white and dark cherry). If you want to get more advanced you can mix styles within the same theme (for example, stick to traditional style cabinets but in two different door designs) and then add in your color choices. As a rule of thumb, try not to match two cabinets that are clearly different styles, such as traditional, raised panel with modern, flat panel cabinets.

Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Top 4 Design Tips For The New Year

Out of all the elements in a kitchen, cabinets are by far the most important. As the main focal point of your space, they anchor the room and should be functional as well as beautiful. With that said, choosing a design for your new kitchen may seem like a daunting task. After all, cabinets are an investment that you will enjoy for many years to come, so you need to choose wisely. To kick off 2016 we’re sharing our top tips and picks for January to help make your decision a little easier.

Have It Your Way

In the past, cabinet manufacturers didn’t leave much room for creativity. Today, companies like Willow Lane Cabinetry are putting more power in homeowners’ hands, and delivering unique ways for them to shop and design their kitchen. From mixing and matching cabinet styles to creating a unique design to accommodate an unusual floor plan, the process is simple. Decide on your dream kitchen, and then find the size and style of cabinets that suits your vision. Our free kitchen design service is available to help you build your kitchen exactly how you want, and take the stress out of shopping for kitchen cabinets and accessories.

Streamlined Style

That modern, European kitchen style that we’ve seen for years overseas has made a home for itself in America as well. Along with the heightened demand for this contemporary kitchen design came an influx in the popularity of flat, minimalistic kitchen cabinets. The streamlined style is complemented by sleek hardware and is serving as a staple in modern kitchens all over the country. While the world might be getting more complicated, kitchen designs seem to be getting simpler!

White Cabinets

White cabinets seems to have a cheery effect, brightening up the room and making the heart of the home a bit more welcoming. And they are here to stay! Our Roosevelt White, which features a raised panel design, is a traditional choice in a modern finish that will accent any home and maintain its relevancy for years to come. You can also shop white kitchen cabinets by visiting our homepage, scrolling down to Shop by Color, and selecting the Light finish option. This will let you easily browse white and other light colored cabinets from all three of our kitchen cabinet series.

Inside Cabinet Accessories

Homeowners are no longer satisfied with cabinets that just look great — they want cabinets that are also functional. From organizational accessories like cutlery trays and peg system drawers to storage savers like pull out pot racks, today’s cabinets offer solutions to almost every kitchen woe. When cabinets can have both a pretty face and brains, it’s no wonder functional cabinets are sought after. Shop our inside cabinet accessories and add functionality to any cabinet!