6 Simple Ways To Go Green In The Kitchen

The concept of green living has increasingly grown in popularity over the past few years, and while trends come and go, this one is likely here to stay – and for good reason! Making a few basic changes at home can help save money and energy, which is good for both you and the environment. From kitchen hoods that improve indoor air quality, to Low or No-VOC paint, here are six simple ways to go green in the kitchen.

Improve Air Quality With A Range Hood

Most homeowners spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and proper ventilation is a must. The best way to improve indoor air quality in the kitchen is through the use of a kitchen hood, especially one that vents to the outside.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place.” About 95 percent of the food we throw away ends up in landfills. But with a little planning and prep work, you can reduce your amount of wasted food.

Make a weekly grocery list with meals in mind, and stick to it. Check your refrigerator and pantry first, to see what you already have. Don’t buy more than you need, prepare perishables in a timely manner, and properly store your grocery items to maintain maximum freshness.

Don’t let leftovers sit around for too long. Instead, immediately freeze them, or repurpose items for a second meal later in the week. Recycle glass, plastic and cardboard packaging in a pullout waste container conveniently located in the kitchen, and consider composting food scraps as well.

Opt For Energy-Saving Appliances

When purchasing new appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens, look for the Energy Star label. Most are 10 percent to 50 percent more efficient than standard models, which can help homeowners save money on energy bills.

Choose Your Countertops And Floors Wisely

When remodeling your kitchen, you’ll find a variety of flooring and countertop options made from natural, recycled materials, such as engineered stone, cork, bamboo, or linoleum. These options are durable, easy to clean, and come in a large selection of styles and colors.

Stick With LED Lighting

LED lighting is energy-efficient, and has a longer lifespan than incandescent or florescent bulbs. Save even more by installing dimmer switches, and motion sensors that automatically turn light on and off as needed.

Use Low or No-VOC Paint On Walls

Typical household paints are traditionally filled with potentially harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. When the paint dries, VOCs are released into the air, where they react with other elements to produce ozone. This can lead to air pollution and health issues, such as headaches, respiratory problems, and nausea. Thankfully, Low or No-VOC paint is now widely available at your local paint or hardware store.

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!

Meet the Colors of 2016

According to Better Homes and Gardens, this year’s hot color palette is both vibrant and subdued, and will leave you dreaming of a tropical beach vacation! Each color is gorgeous on its own, but together they will make quite a happy statement in your home. Perfect for a kitchen, bath, or just about anywhere, the secret to this pairing is a balance of cool and warm tones that are sophisticated with a touch of fun.

Blue: Ask any Interior Designer or Real Estate Expert and they will tell you the most timeless and popular interior color is blue. To achieve the look of 2016, start with a cool, smoky, mid-tone blue on walls to anchor your space, or opt for neutral walls in cool gray or sandy beige, paired with ocean blue accents and accessories. Think area rugs, throw pillows, blankets and lamps in the living room and bedroom, or natural-fiber linens, fabric valences, pottery canisters, and small appliances in the kitchen.

Gray: Cool gray is right on trend, and works well with all styles of decorating, from classic to contemporary. This muted neutral can look dreary if you go too dark, so stick with a silvery light gray with blue or green undertones. Remember, this year’s palette is upbeat and cheerful! Not just for walls, cool gray can also be found in furniture, granite or marble countertops, wood and tile flooring, and beautiful kitchen cabinets, like Roosevelt Dove Gray from Willow Lane Cabinetry.

Green: This neutral brings a touch of nature indoors. The popular green of 2016 is muted and has a hint of blue that pulls it towards the serene aqua color of sea glass. The perfect choice for walls that want a hint of color, this green gives off a spa-like atmosphere when paired with crisp white in a bathroom, and can be a stunning choice for the kitchen, working equally well with most kitchen cabinet finishes.

Pink: The right shade of gentle pink can be feminine and classy, without being overtly sweet. Select a cool, pale pink that leans towards light coral or salmon to achieve the look. This pink looks lovely on bedroom walls or incorporated into duvet covers, shams, area rugs and lamps. It is also a natural choice in a foyer or dining room.

Orange: Orange can be energizing without being brash. This year’s zingy color will leave you craving a refreshing, citrusy creamsicle. Add a little or a lot! Include a pinch of orange in bathroom shower curtains and towels, or add a colorful stand mixer or accent wall in the kitchen. This color can be used just about anywhere to liven up a space.

For a look that’s right on point, mix and match these colors to your heart’s desire, being sure to incorporate at least of a touch of all five in the palette. Choose one or two as the dominant colors, for example, gray and blue, and accessorize with a pop of the remaining colors, for example, pink, green and orange.

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!

Transitional Kitchens: Where Tradition Meets Trendy

Not sure about what style to implement in your kitchen remodel? Are you stuck between your traditional ways and the urge for something fresh and contemporary? Let us introduce to you the transitional kitchen. This hybrid kitchen design perfectly blends the old and the new to create a balanced and functional look for homeowners with mixed tastes.

What defines this kitchen style?

In a transitional kitchen you will find both classic and contemporary elements. But rather than clash with each other, they are clear complements and create a unique unity. One example would be a kitchen with sleek stainless steel appliances, traditional shaker style kitchen cabinets, granite countertops and hardwood floors. The finished product is fresh but familiar at the same time. This is the magic of transitional kitchen design.

How can I create this design in my home?

Building out your transitional kitchen is easy. Your first step is to focus on the major decisions, like kitchen cabinets, flooring, counter tops and appliances. This it the core of your kitchen, and you want to make sure that while the styles of each may vary, cohesively they make sense side by side. To make this process easier, utilize Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service. You’ll receive photorealistic renderings to see how your kitchen cabinets look in your space. No need to guess when technology can do the work for you!

How do you avoid the possible chaos that could occur?

Think of a transitional kitchen as a friendship or relationship, where two different people each bring something to the table. Separately they may be “missing” something but together they are whole, offering strength to one another’s weaknesses. If each person was exactly the same, they could overwhelm rather than benefit one another. When designing a transitional kitchen, you’ll do well to keep these principles in mind. If you try to make every aspect of your kitchen both traditional and trendy, you’ll achieve nothing but chaos. If you focus your styles in certain areas, such as modern kitchen cabinets and traditional hardwood floors, you’ll see how each part of your kitchen brings a unique value to the room as a whole.

What else can be done to amplify this look?

Kitchen design reaches much further than the basics. Outside of your cabinets, flooring, and counter tops is a whole world of opportunities to exemplify your kitchen style. The furniture in your space — from bar stools to the dining room table — make a huge statement. The lighting, and even the kitchen hood above your range, speaks to theme of the room. The paint on the walls and the backsplash give color and character to your kitchen. And then there are the accessories! Decorating your countertops and walls is the finishing touch on any kitchen design. Make sure yours include a balance of new and old — a fruit basket just like your grandma used to have on the same countertop as your brightly colored KitchenAid mixer.

A transitional kitchen should be a breath of fresh air, as it allows you to encompass all the things you love about home design. Don’t stress yourself about getting this just right! You’re getting the rare opportunity in life to have everything you want, so have fun with it and enjoy the process.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

Top 4 Decorating Tips For Renters

Choosing to rent over buying a home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice personal style. While your rental may be temporary, there are still plenty of creative ways you can decorate the space and make it your own! Here are the top four decorating tips every renter should know.

Emphasize Lighting

Lighting sets the tone in your space, and makes a huge impact. Find floor and table lamps that brighten your room, while adding to your aesthetic style. Or hang a pendant lamp to create a pop of color in an otherwise beige area. Battery operated under-cabinet lighting is a great addition to any kitchen, and is easy to install.

Dress Windows

Consider taking down generic vertical blinds or hiding them under curtains, but remember not to toss them out! You’ll need them again when you move out to get your security deposit back. Make sure you measure the width and height of your window before shopping. In addition to providing privacy and décor, many drapes have thick liners that will help insulate your rental’s heating and air – meaning lower utility bills. For smaller rooms, long curtains will give the illusion of taller ceilings, while sheer or linen curtains allow more light to enter a darker room. Choose decorative rods to complete the look.

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

If your landlord will allow you to paint, create a strong color scheme throughout and find accessories to match. Paint is inexpensive and is the easiest way to change the look of a room. If painting is prohibited, add color and personalization with beautiful throws, pillows, and decorative objects to match your style. Using a few consistent pops of color around the room helps to unify the space, and keeps the focus on the areas of your rental you can control. Complete your design with artwork to tie it all together.

Little details make a big difference, so be sure to replace pulls and knobs in the kitchen and bath to update existing cabinetry. Remember, you can take them with you, so save the old in case you decide to move.

Invest In Area Rugs

Finding the right rug is worth the investment: go for a sturdy rug with natural fibers, or thicker rugs with rubber backing. Not only will your rental appear more stylish and pulled together, but also the rug will help with the noise level if you’re on the second or third floor.

Renters have plenty of options when it comes to decorating. With a little creativity and personalization, your rental will start to feel like home!

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!

How To Get The Custom Home Look In 3 Easy Steps

Building a custom home allows the buyer to play a major role in the design process and create a living space that accommodates every possible want and need. While budget restraints hinder many from taking this route, there are steps you can follow to get the custom home look in any space — no matter the age or condition of your home.

Alter the floor plan to feature an open concept design and custom features.

If your home is on the older side, the floor plan may be less than favorable. Traditional homes tend to feature many divides, while more modern models boast a natural flow of light and an open concept floor plan. Even if your house was built decades ago, you can still achieve the layout you love by simply knocking down a few non-load-bearing walls. Break down borders to join your kitchen, dining room and living room. This will create a spacious, airy “great room” that will make your main living quarters feel larger and appear more modern. Additional custom features, such as a window bench or breakfast nook, can be achieved with minimal construction and really add a homey, custom feel to your home. Speak with your contractor about how you envision your new floor plan so that you can set realistic goals and get the best results.

Upgrade finishes to transform the look of any room.

Take away the finishes and your home is really nothing more than walls and floors. By upgrading the main finishes, you can make any room feel custom made. If you’re remodeling on a budget, start with the most permanent finishes. Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, hardwood floors — these are the big-ticket but long-lasting additions that will have the most impact. If you have more money to spend, light fixtures, sinks, faucets and hardware (knobs, pulls, etc.) are all important details that can further enhance your home. While many of these improvements are solely surface fixes, they make a remarkable difference. Once incorporated into your current design, your home will instantly seem newer and more modern.

Be creative with design elements.

Thinking outside of the box is what makes a home unique and gives it that custom feel. Don’t be afraid to try something new, like open shelving in the kitchen or hardwood paneling on your bathroom walls. Seek inspiration from interior design magazines or images of celebrities’ houses, which feature some of the most elaborate custom homes in existence. Even though replicating these high-end designs wholly may be unrealistic, they can serve as a guide to which home improvements you should make. Find a balance between fabulous and functional. While some interesting design additions could really complement your home, others may skew more towards outlandish. It’s important to consider the rest of the room and home when choosing tile, paint colors, furniture and other design elements. Before bringing a design idea to life, ask yourself, “Do I love this look for my home or do I just love this look?”

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!