Create a kitchen that works for you

Cabinets in the Shaker style in a painted finish of white, gray or navy are popular kitchen choices. Photo courtesy of Wish Kitchens & Baths

HOME TRENDS

Written by LINDA HARKCOM

In most homes, the kitchen is not only where food is prepared, but is a gathering space for friends and family.

While current circumstances have curtailed in-home entertaining, the kitchen is now even more pivotal, as it might also be used for learning or double as a home office.

Since the pandemic has caused most people to spend more time in their kitchens than ever before, many are considering making improvements to this important living space.

“Now, more than ever, with clients working from home, we have seen an increase in home renovations,” said Kacie Meyers, sales and design manager at Chambersburg (Pa.) Kitchens & Countertops and The Floor Trader Outlet. “A lot of people are now looking for more versatility in their designs and ability to have multifunctional space, along with wanting a home away from home. Come spring, our trade is forecasting a huge influx in outdoor kitchens and more spaces that bring the outdoors in.”

“We assist customers in finding the right product for our client’s project, while keeping in mind function and design. We also match our client’s job with the right contractors and installers,” Meyers said. Getting started

One of the first steps taken in a remodeling project is choosing a contractor.

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Kris Detrow, executive director of the Home Builders Association of Washington County, said it is important to select someone who is established in the community and has a good reputation.

“If they have been working in your community, they will have a good working relationship with local government and know how much time they will need for permitting,” Detrow said.

“Ask a contractor for references and to see before and after pictures of jobs they have recently done.”

While homeowners might be tempted to purchase goods and services online, Detrow said there is something to be said for looking someone in the eye, explaining your unique situation and the job at hand, then letting him/ her share options.

“It is also important to know who will be working in your home around your family,” Detrow said. “Our members are professionals who hire professionals and are committed to surpassing the expectations of their customers, so that the next time they have a need, whether it be HVAC, flooring, kitchen and bath remodeling, or roofing, they will be the obvious choice. The customer trusts that they stand behind their work.”

Meyers said not choosing the right service provider or skimping on products are among the biggest mistakes people make.

“Even though you might save a couple of thousand dollars going with cabinets off the internet or going with a certain company, make sure you look at the design and the functionality. It is important to have a kitchen that works for you,” Meyers said.

Before reaching out to companies to get estimates, it is helpful for customers to develop the scope of work for the project and establish a budget, said Lisa Staley, kitchen and bath designer for J&D Kitchen Distributors Inc. in Hagerstown.

“This will help us recommend products for the remodel,” Staley said. “We also suggest that they visit our showroom so that we can get an idea of the style and color of cabinets that they would like to use, and we can discuss countertop options.”

Meyers said each client has different needs.

“Keep in mind how you like to cook, what you use most in your kitchen, and, most of all, what you don't like about your current kitchen,” Meyers said. “If this is a house you plan to stay in for years to come, it is important to focus on designing it in a way that makes sense and is functional for you.”

A peninsula was removed and a large island added to open up this kitchen. Cabinets extending to the ceiling were installed for added storage. Additional design features include glass in the transom cabinets, a chimney-style range hood and pendant lights above the island. A granite countertop was installed with a coordinating ceramic tile backsplash. Photo courtesy of J&D Kitchens

Staley said a basic kitchen remodel can cost $8,000 to $15,000, while most full kitchen renovations range from $22,000 to $50,000 and higher. Trends

The biggest trends in kitchen remodeling continue to be painted cabinets and simple door styles, according to Staley.

“White continues to be a popular color scheme. Grays and blues are also popular. The new color gaining popularity is green,” Staley said.

Mark Wishnow, owner of Wish Kitchens and Baths in Hagerstown, said the most popular type of cabinets with his customers is the Shaker style in a painted finish of white, gray or navy.

He said when it comes to sinks, apron and large, single-bowl varieties are trending.

“Some of the under-mount sinks have a ledge to accept cutting boards and dish strainers,” Wishnow said.

For faucets, Wishnow said metallic stainless finishes are popular, and people are gravitating toward single-lever pull-out and commercial spring pullout sprayers.

When customers are choosing material for their backsplashes, it helps to see it where it will be installed.

“I like to let customers take the sample of tiles home so they can see it in their setting, because sometimes it has a different shade in the showrooms,” Wishnow said.

Kelli Nunnally, kitchen designer with J&D Kitchen Distributors, said cherry wood is being used less in cabinetry, while paint is being used more.

“But some people do still like woodstained cabinets, so basically everything is ‘in’ if a client likes it,” Nunnally said. Meyers said people should add a pantry and/or pantry cabinets if they can afford to, because they provide extra storage.

Nunnally advises her customers to consider moving appliances around or changing openings.

“Most people get stuck in what they are used to. A good kitchen designer can show them the possibilities for that same space if they are willing to consider a few changes,” Nunnally said.

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When choosing a new countertop, there are many options from which to choose — from natural materials to man-made.

Granite

Meyers said of all the options, granite is the best value and is her favorite.

“I recommend granite, as long as you like the look of it,” she said. “Granite is a natural product that is incredibly durable and easily maintained. It offers some beautiful movement and has incredible color combinations. Each slab is one-of-a-kind. Even with technology, it is still hard to create something as beautiful as what nature creates.”

Granite needs to be sealed because it is porous. It is typically sealed yearly, depending on the product used, a process that is easy to do yourself and does not take much time.

“If you do not want that yearly maintenance, you can add a 20-year sealer to the granite and not have to worry about it,” Meyers said.

Quartz

Meyers said there are many varieties of this man-made material, the most popular choice of her clients.

“Many of our clients come in looking for that marble look without the worries/ maintenance,” she said. “Quartz is the fastest-growing segment, and has designs now that are gorgeous and making great strides in mimicking real stone.”

One downside is that quartz is not easily fixed if you get a chip or have some issues with the top finish, but Meyers said some companies offer a lifetime warranty for repairs.

“Quartz countertops with white and gray veining are the most popular right now,” Wishnow said.

Unlike granite, quartz does not need to be sealed.

Marble

While marble is a natural stone, Meyers said she does not recommend it to clients for use in the kitchen because it etches and requires maintenance.

Soapstone

Meyers said sandstone requires maintenance and can easily scratch, but scratches can be sanded with very fine sandpaper. Depending on how much people use the kitchen, they will have to use mineral oil on the material once a week or every couple of weeks.

“Soapstone is beautiful and can add a ton of character to a kitchen,” Meyers said.

Butcher block

This type of countertop requires oil on the top and is not recommended around sinks.

Concrete

Concrete countertops are incredibly porous, and Meyers said sealing is essential to maintaining them.

“Repairing the concrete is hard to do in keeping the color consistent, and the seams of concrete are still not perfected as much as granite and quartz countertops,” Meyers said.

Laminate

Laminate is still the most affordable countertop. Meyers said depending on kitchen size, for a couple hundred dollars more, customers can have granite instead. Not considered a forever countertop, this variety has some incredible looks.

Large-format porcelain

“Porcelain is the only countertop that can handle the heat,” Meyers said.

The large format is attractive and can offer a thinner profile, along with durability. The biggest downfall is the edges, which have to be mitered on the front to cover the backer board used in installation.

COUNTERTOP OPTIONS

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FLOORING

Either out of necessity or desire for a new look, many kitchen renovations include new flooring.

Luxury vinyl plank, tile

Meyers said luxury vinyl plank and tile have taken over the industry.

“It has beautiful, realistic looks, along with versatility and (is) very easy to maintain,” she said.

She said those types of flooring are great for kitchens because they are durable, attractive and waterproof, and are comfortable for standing.

Ceramic, porcelain tile

“Tile is still regarded as a forever floor, that is until you get tired of the look,” Meyers said. “Tile still has some unmatched looks that you cannot find in other products. It is incredibly durable and easy to maintain, as long as you pick the correct grout. Grout is usually the reason people can't stand tile, and it doesn't have to be.”

The downfalls include the hardness and effect it can have on joints when standing on it for long periods.

“It is also cold,” Meyers said. “So, if you like to go barefoot, this could be a drawback if you don't want to add in-floor heat, but in-floor heat can really add to the benefit of tile.”

Vinyl sheet goods

“Vinyl has come a long way. That curling, yellowing, and seams coming apart you might have experienced with your old vinyl is something the manufacturers have not ignored,” Meyers said.

In addition to being easy to clean, affordable and natural-looking, vinyl can be repaired.

Cork flooring

Cork is great for people’s joints. It also provides a mid-century feel, a style that isn't going away anytime soon, Meyers said.

Appliances

When remodeling kitchens, many people choose to replace some or all of their appliances.

“Our security system is interwoven with our appliances to have the whole ‘smart-home’ package,” said Callan Spicher, vice president of Spichers Appliances & Security in Hagerstown. “From ovens that can be preheated from an app, to a video camera notification — we can do it all.”

According to Spichers President Curt Spicher, the biggest trend for appliances focuses more on aesthetics.

“Matte colors are hot right now: slate, matte black and matte white,” he said.

Refrigerators now come with three, four and even five doors, as well as a variety of drawers.

“Refrigerators are all about keeping food fresh for the most amount of time. The technology is now better than ever to preserve food in the refrigerator and to optimize the fresh food space. Freezers are also now being optimized for organization, i.e. meal prepping or smoothies,” Callan Spicher said.

She said the trend in dishwashers is flexibility.

“Being able to figure out how the best way you can have your dishes fit without having to play Tetris and have the dishwasher work to fit your needs. There are now bottle-wash jets on top to help clean smoothies in tall bottles, or specific jets for silverware,” Callan Spicher said.

Hot trends with ranges, according to Callan Spicher, are new cooking technology and guided cooking.

“Air fry in ranges or steam baking turn new food into everyday favorites. App guidance with temperature probes also help guide a new cook (or a nervous cook) through a recipe, so cooking is more accessible to everyone,” she said.

Existing wood cabinets were replaced in this kitchen with fresh, white cabinets, which were upgraded to a soft close on all doors and drawers. A bright new backsplash was added for an updated look. Photo courtesy of J&D Kitchens

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A new kitchen accentuates the charm of this old farmhouse. Chambersburg (Pa.) Kitchens & Countertops and The Floor Trader Outlet’s design updated flooring, countertops, cabinets and the backsplash. Photo courtesy of Chambersburg (Pa.) Kitchens & Countertops and The Floor Trader Outlet.

One decision many people face when buying a new stove, assuming the utilities are available, is whether to buy a gas or electric version.

“Most people prefer what they grew up learning on,” Curt Spicher said. “I like gas, even though it’s harder to clean.”

For those who prefer electric stoves, Curt Spicher said most people choose flat tops over coils.

“Coil tops are entry-level ranges. They are quality ranges, but if you are looking for more features, I would recommend the flat top. If you love cooking, induction electric ranges are the best on the market,” Callan Spicher said.

Those considering redoing a kitchen might want to start looking at appliances now because the pandemic has caused a “perfect storm.”

“Demand is up, and because of social distancing, production is down. Everything takes much longer to get. We have doubled our warehouse capacity so when things become available, we can get extra. Now is the time to plan ahead,” Curt Spicher said. Home Show

Those interested in overhauling a kitchen or other areas of their abodes can stop by the Home Builders Association of Washington County’s annual Home Show, set for Saturday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hagerstown Community College’s Athletic, Recreation and Community Center. Admission is $2 for adults and free those 12 and younger. — Places

REACH OUT

For more information about kitchen remodeling from the designers featured in this story, contact:

Chambersburg Kitchens & Countertops and The Floor Trader Outlet: sales@floorandkitchen.com or 717-264-9096

J&D Kitchen Distributors Inc.: sales@floorandkitchen.com or 717-264-9096

Spichers Appliance: www.spichers.com or 301-739-2794

Wish Kitchens and Baths: wishkitchens@gmail.com or 301-733-9474