Secrets To A Stunning Master Bathroom

Your master bathroom should be the ultimate retreat. After all, it is the place where you start and end your day. Think about it. There’s noting quite like a shower to make you feel refreshed and ready to face the world. Likewise, a hot bath is the perfect way to unwind before going to bed.

Second only to custom kitchens, a new bathroom is one of the best investments you could make in your home. In fact, According to HGTV, “In the hottest housing markets, springing for a kitchen or bath remodel is a sure-fire investment, often returning more than 100 percent of the cost.”

So how exactly do you go about designing a stunning master bathroom that adds value to your home? If your space could use a little love, read on for inspiration and tips to help you design the master bathroom of your dreams.

Enlist Expert Help

The first secret to getting a stunning master bathroom is just a few clicks away, and it’s absolutely free! Whether your planning to sell your home someday, or you just want to have a beautiful master bathroom to call your own, give the experts at Willow Lane Cabinetry a call. We can help bring your new room to life. Within 48 hours, you’ll get a custom layout that is both beautiful and functional, photorealistic renderings of your new bathroom, and an itemized list that details what you will need and what it will all cost. Willow Lane Cabinetry offers high quality, custom built cabinets, and all the accessories you’ll need to complete your remodel, at a fraction of the price at big box stores, fully assembled and delivered right to your door. And in case you missed it, our expert design service is free!

Things To Consider

Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning a bathroom remodel.

The bathroom vanity you select will become the focal point of the room. Do it right by installing for all-wood, quality custom cabinets with features like soft close doors and dovetailed drawers with full extension glides. Add to that large mirrors, and beautiful cabinet pulls or knobs and bath hardware.

Wood floors are right on trend, but can be challenging when used in a bathroom. Avoid water damage from the inevitable spills and splashes by opting for engineered wood, which holds up to moisture better than solid hardwood. Better yet, get the wood floor look with tile. There are a number of choices on the market that mimic the real thing, but are better suited for the bathroom (and have a more affordable price tag).

Large, walk-in showers are a must-have in today’s market. While a large soaking tub is still popular, homeowners are willing to forgo the tub in place of the walk-in shower if space is limited. Create the ultimate shower with backsplash tile walls and a large showerhead.

Lighting is also important in the bathroom, so make sure you have sufficient task lighting to illumine your bathroom vanity, and add plenty of ceiling-mounted or recessed lighting overhead for a well-lit space overall. Or consider adding a fan or chandelier overhead, in the center of the room, for added style.

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

Spring Cleaning Hacks For Your Home

The blooming of beautiful flowers and warmer weather is always welcomed after winter, but with the change of season comes the rude reminder it’s time to clean house. Spring cleaning is a common occurrence in most homes, but that doesn’t make it any more appealing. Here are a few spring cleaning hacks to make the experience a little more enjoyable.

Remove hair or fur from carpets: If you’re the proud parent to a dog or cat that sheds, you know all too well the constant struggle of keeping carpet hair-free. You’ve also probably broken or clogged up a vacuum or two in an attempt to do so. This hack will forever change the way you clean your carpet. Simply use a window squeegee to lift out hair. As you run the squeegee along the carpet, hair will start balling up for easy disposal. This is the perfect first step to cleaning carpets, especially with allergy season right around the corner.

Clean your stovetop and protect from further spills and stains: You can’t cook anything without something spilling or splashing on to your stovetop, but after taking the time to make a meal, the last thing you want to do is scrub that mess away. This hack will not only get your stovetop looking good, but will make it easier to clean down the road. After you’ve cleaned the surface, apply a thin layer of car wax and then gently buff with a towel. The finishing product is awe-worthy, and the protectant will let you wipe away those spills and splashes much easier the next time your dinner finds its way to the surface of your stovetop. Car wax also works well to keep fingerprints and smudges off of stainless steel refrigerators!

Fade water rings on tables: If the holidays and months of entertaining have left your dining room or coffee table a little less pretty, this hack is for you. Guests sometimes forget to use coasters and the result is an eye-sore of a water ring. But refinishing or replacing the table is not your only option. First try turning a blow dryer on high heat and letting it hover over the stain for a few minutes. You should see the mark begin to fade right before your eyes. If the spot still doesn’t look quite right, you can rub over it with a little olive oil or use a furniture-cleaning product that is safe to use on wood.

Clean sliding glass door tracks and dirty blinds: As the barrier to the outdoors, the area around windows and sliding glass doors can become especially dirty. From the black guck on door tracks to dust covered blinds, tackling these jobs can seem daunting. Most of us resort to removing blinds altogether, but this cleaning hack will make it much more simple. Make a mix of equal parts water and vinegar, and dip an old sock in the solution. Slip it on your hand and run over blinds, in between tracks and wherever else your windows and doors are dirty.

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!

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.

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.

How To Mix And Match Countertop Styles

Mixing and matching countertop styles is a popular trend with designers and homeowners alike. And for good reason! Choosing different countertop surfaces adds visual interest and that desirable custom touch to your kitchen. And it’s simple to do — with a little know-how, of course. Just like mixing and matching colors, fabrics, and textures in your decor, and cabinet styles and finishes, you want to follow the rules of good design to strike the perfect balance in your space.

The Rule of Threes

When it comes to decorating, three is the magic number. Odd numbered items are always visually more appealing, and anything more than three will just be overkill. With that said, when it comes to large items like your countertop surface, you may want to go with the less is more approach. If you want to be adventurous, go with three different surface materials but stick to a common hue, or at least a color that compliments your scheme. Or take the more conservative approach and select two completely different surfaces that enhance the overall look of your kitchen. For example, dark granite countertops below your cabinets, paired with a butcher-block top, in a natural finish, on a built-in kitchen island. Whatever you choose, they should be placed apart, but connect visually.

Practicality and Placement

In addition to good design, consider practicality and how your surfaces will function. Opt for durable, stain-and-moisture-resistant materials like stainless steel, quartz or granite next to the cooktop or sink, and accent with marble, wood, or tile in areas where you will be baking, or housing canisters and small appliances like your toaster or stand mixer. Kitchen islands are a great focal point in a kitchen, and the perfect place to showcase your style. A raised bar top with extra seating is also a great place to transition between countertop styles.

Color Consideration

Always consider the color of your cabinets and floors first, and choose countertops that compliment both, and tie the two together. When using two separate surfaces, contrast is key. For a balanced look, pair dark perimeter countertops with a neutral or light island, or vice versa. For example, if you have white cabinets, you could opt for black granite with little variation, paired with a veiny white marble. And if you have dark cabinets, you could go with mottled quartz in light tones of brown, and pair that with a charcoal gray stainless steel. If you decide to go for three separate surfaces, keep two tone-on tone, and contrast with the third. For example, cool gray granite and stainless steel, paired with warm wood.

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.

Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Top 3 Kitchen Styles For February

In honor of Valentine’s Day, this month we are featuring three of our favorite kitchen cabinets in red! Aside from being a symbol of passion and love, red is a classic color choice that can easily add a pop of excitement to any kitchen. From tradition styles to more modern choices, red cabinets complement almost any kitchen theme. Scroll down for our top picks and get ready to experience love at first sight!

Roosevelt Red

From the Roosevelt Series, these bright red kitchen cabinets are as timeless as it gets. Doorframes feature a raised panel design with solid maple construction, and will maintain their relevancy, as well as quality, for years to come. Incorporate a few pieces into your existing set to create dimension and an interesting mix-and-match design, or choose a complete set of cabinets in this finish for an eye catching and creative look.

Society Shaker Red

These shaker style cabinets are part of the Society Series and put a new spin on an old favorite. Shaker style cabinets are simple and timeless, so they gel seamlessly with almost any floor plan, home, or kitchen theme. Shaker style doorframes are recessed and classic, but are given an instant lift with this warm red finish. The striking color gives the understated design a modern twist, creating the perfect balance of old and new. Society Shaker Red cabinets look amazing when used in a cottage or vintage style kitchen.

Society Shaker Red with Brushed Chocolate Glaze

Red is not limited to just one shade, and this cabinet set from the Society Series proves that. The addition of a brushed chocolate glaze softens the red, making it subtle and sweet. Complement your kitchen with this unique finish, which blends the muted essence of brown with the exhilarating qualities of red. Simple Shaker Style kitchen cabinets get a touch of color and pizazz with this beautiful color combination of Society Shaker Red with Brushed Chocolate Glaze.

The Power of Red

In our recent blog, Color And Comfort: 2 Things To Consider When Decorating, we discuss how color can affect your mood. Red is the perfect choice for a kitchen because of its power to stimulate the appetite. Red energizes the mind and body, increases circulation, and encourages lively conversation around the kitchen table.

Fall In Love With Your Kitchen

In addition to red, there are many other possibilities when it comes to cabinet styles and finishes. Once you have an idea of what you want, take advantage of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service and discover the best kitchen for your home and budget. Just fill out the contact form, and one of our designers will reach out to you and put together your custom kitchen layout within 48 hours. Now that’s love!

How To Make The Most Of A Galley Kitchen

You say small, we say cozy! The galley kitchen, which earned its name after the tiny quarters where food is prepared on a ship, may have once been a hindrance to a home but today that is no longer the case. Transforming a snug kitchen into a free flowing galley design is a popular and functional way to make the most of skimpy square footage. Follow these tips and find out why homeowners with small kitchens are going for the galley.

Keep Things Straight

A galley kitchen is traditionally narrow and runs vertically. The floor plan consists of two rows of countertop with the walkway in between. Appliances are typically installed following a triangular design so that the range, refrigerator and sink are all centralized. Kitchen cabinets can run on both sides or just one, depending if your kitchen opens up to a living or dining room, or if it is enclosed.

Get Creative to Create Space

Just because your kitchen is small doesn’t mean it has to look that way. There are tons of “design hacks” to make a room feel and appear much larger than it actually is. Start with your color scheme, which should be light and bright. Dark colors can confine a room, while light colors open it up. From the paint on your walls and your cabinet finish to the counter tops and backsplash, choose pale shades to give the illusion of more space. Another easy hack is mirrors. If your kitchen is too crowded to hang mirrors, try a reflective or metallic tile instead. The reflective surface will have a similar effect, and tiles can be placed anywhere — walls, backsplashes, floors and countertops.

Let The Light In

Replace the blinds in your kitchen with semi-sheer curtains to allow more natural light to peak in. If you’re remodeling your entire kitchen, ask your contractor if putting in a skylight is an option. Any way that you can increase the natural light in the room will enhance a galley kitchen design. If a lack of windows or red tape is standing in your way, artificial light will have to suffice. Go with bright white bulbs to mimic sunlight as closely as possible, and consider installing under cabinet lighting for extra glow.

Color Outside The Lines

There’s nothing wrong with straying away from the traditional galley design. Depending on your home, your family and your needs, you may need to make some adjustments to make the galley kitchen work for you. If you can only afford one strip of counter top, a kitchen island might be a close second to achieving the corridor floor plan. Extending to an L-shaped design is okay, too.

Achieve Your Galley Kitchen

Whenever setting out to achieve a specific kitchen style, design is key. Take advantage of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service, which will get you a custom layout based on your measurements, budget, and style. You will also receive photorealistic renderings so that rather than imagine what your new kitchen will look like, you can see it right before your eyes.

6 Metallic Accents To Incorporate Into Your Kitchen

Metallic finishes are one of the top home design trends for 2016, and there are tons of interesting and eye-catching ways to add this stylish element to your kitchen. Here are a few of our favorite ways:

Metallic Backsplashes

A metallic backsplash is definitely a top pick, as well as the easiest way to incorporate this trend into your kitchen. Depending on the layout of your kitchen and how much of a wow-factor you’re trying to achieve, you could tile anything from the small space above your oven to the entire area between your kitchen cabinets and countertops. You will be able to find a wide selection of metallic tiles to achieve the look you want, and can go with either a subtle metallic infused color to complement your current color scheme or a true silver, copper or gold.

Metallic Tile Flooring

There is something incredibly alluring about metallic tile, and it can look amazing when used as flooring within a modern, contemporary, or even traditional kitchen. If you’ve had your mind set on new flooring for a while, consider this unique avenue and choose a tile in a rich color and metallic finish to update your kitchen floors.

Metallic Countertops

If you’re all about stainless steel everything and love industrial kitchen design, go crazy and install a stainless steel countertop. This popular metal is strong, heat and stain resistant, nonporous and hygienic. Plus the sleek look will blend in seamlessly with stainless steel appliances and create an ultra contemporary feel. The monotone color scheme will also leave room for some exciting accessorizing, paint choices, or flooring options. Other metal countertop materials include copper, pewter, and bronze.

Metallic Knobs and Pulls

Replacing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets is a simple upgrade, and a great opportunity to incorporate metallic accents into your kitchen. Cabinet pulls and knobs come in finishes like polished brass, brushed antique brass, satin nickel, oil rubbed bronze, pewter, gun metal, matte black, brushed chrome, and more, so there is a style and color to suit every kitchen.

Metallic Pendant Lights and Seating

Metallic pendant lights can illuminate your kitchen, and come in a large selection of styles and finishes to complement your look. Add industrial metal chairs to a wooden table, or stylish barstools with wooden seats and a metal base to your breakfast bar.

Metallic Hoods and Sinks

A metallic sink is an excellent choice to complete your kitchen. Strong and easy to clean, stainless steel sinks are one of the most popular options today, but copper sinks are a unique alternative that can warm up your kitchen. Although it serves a purpose, adding a stainless steel hood to your kitchen can also give your space an amazing, finished look.

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.

5 Tips To Get More Countertop Space

Does your countertop seem to easily clutter up with papers, appliances and kitchen utensils? Does it seem like you are always searching to find the one thing that you need? Even if your countertop space is lacking, there are still a number of ways you can make the most of the space you have. Here are 5 ways to help you get started.

Create A Message Center

Clear out that scattered mess of papers by creating a message center to help you stay organized and on track. Store important papers in a tidy basket or wall organizer, and consider hanging a cork board, chalk board or magnetic board in your kitchen to keep all important notes visible. Don’t forget a place for pens and notepads so that your family can easily leave messages that are sure to be read!

Roll The Clutter Away

If you want extra space, consider a portable kitchen cart with a butcher-block top. You can use the top for prep as needed, and store kitchen supplies and cookbooks in the cabinets and shelves underneath. Roll it out when you need it, and roll it away when you don’t!

Think Vertically

When drawer space is limited, cooking utensils will often end up in a crock on the counter. But there is a better alternative! Most spatulas, ladles, whisks and spoons have a notch on the handle, perfect for hanging up on wall hooks and out of the way. While you’re at it, ditch the knife block and install a wall-mounted magnetic knife rack to keep your cooking tools in reach.

Maximize Your Storage

Install a tilt out tray for kitchen tools that you use near the sink, like sponges and vegetable brushes. And consider finding a new home for your toaster, blender, mixer and coffee maker when they are not in use. When bulky appliances are off of the countertop and out of the way, you’ll have more space for meal preparation.

Utilize The Kitchen Sink

Create a quick prep area by utilizing your sink space. Find a cutting board that is slightly wider than your kitchen sink so that it will easily sit on top while you get to work, and then store it away in a cabinet until you need it again.

There are a number of ways you can minimize clutter while making the most of your kitchen countertop space. Get into the habit of keeping your countertop space clean and your kitchen organized. When everything has a home, cooking and cleanup become simple and stress-free!

Written by Bridgette. Bridgette Wagner is a freelance writer and English M.A. student with an interest in writing on DIY, travel, and family fun. She loves reading, spending time with her two kiddos and living near the beach in Wilmington, N.C.