Firmly entrenched as the focal point of a casual lifestyle, the kitchen isn’t just the heart of the home. “In today’s world, it is the home,” says Greenwood Village, Colo., interior designer Lita Dirks. Buyers of new production homes at nearly every price point expect a lot from the kitchen, including islands and lots of cabinet and countertop space.

Designed for efficient food preparation and cleanup, one section of the countertop is made of black walnut and has a prep sink. White glass-front cabinets have turquoise backs that highlight dishes and glassware. The flooring is porcelain tile. Designer: In Detail Interiors; Photos: Greg Riegler Photography
Cabinet chat

You’d never guess this kitchen was designed and built on a budget. The island offers generous seating areas and plenty of counter space, ideal for households with multiple cooks who love to entertain. Note that the cabinets run all the way to the ceiling, giving them a built-in, custom look. The room won best Budget-Friendly Kitchen and earned second place in the medium-size kitchen category in in the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2013 design competition.
17 Ways to Freshen Up Kitchens• Make kitchen layouts island-centric whenever possible. The bigger the island, the better, but even a 4-by-4-foot island can work well.• Use two-tone or contrasting colors and/or materials on countertops, cabinets, and appliances. For example, paint the upper cabinets white and use a dark stain on the lower cabinets, or paint the island one color and the perimeter another.• Add a second sink to the island for food preparation. The prep sink can also be filled with ice to keep beverages chilled during a party.• Forget about the double-bowl sink. Buyers perceive deep, single-bowl models as more expensive. For an extra flourish, install an apron-front or farmhouse sink.• Use granite or a solid surface, such as quartz, for countertops for both good looks and durability.• Include 42-inch cabinets as standard, and upgrade the door hardware. Drop the soffit and run cabinetry all the way to the ceiling.• Space permitting, include a walk-in “Costco” pantry for storage of mega-size items, or build a floor-to-ceiling storage cabinet.• Use frameless cabinets. They work with any design style, have a cleaner look, and do a better job of utilizing space because they lack a center rail.• Keep clutter off the island. Include a planning center or computer alcove nearby for charging electronics, doing homework, paying bills, etc.• Put shelves and doors at one end of the island to store cookbooks, dishes, and glassware.• Change up the cabinet-door hardware. “Get rid of the plain brass or silver round knob,” says Pensacola, Fla., interior designer Cheryl Clendenon. “Step out of the box and use something that’s got a little more personality.”• Utilize shallow compartments under the sink and stovetop for additional storage.• Get rid of the fluorescent light boxes and use a mix of recessed or track lighting, decorative lighting, and under-cabinet lighting. Put lights inside glass-front cabinets.• Instead of a more expensive counter-depth refrigerator, put in a standard-depth model and build out the cabinets around it. You can also borrow space from an adjacent room to create an alcove for the refrigerator, or recess it into the wall between studs.• Install matching panels on appliances to give them a built-in look without purchasing built-in appliances.• Fill out the backsplash with a single material in a single color. If the countertops are granite, for instance, you might make the backsplash out of ceramic “subway” tile or mosaic tile, which comes in sheets for easier installation.• Substitute engineered wood floors or porcelain tile for solid wood. Porcelain tiles are available that resemble wood but can handle more wear and tear.
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Counter points and floor facts

Warm stained cabinets stand out against neutral subway tile in the backsplash and teal accent paint above. Community: Cordera; Builder: Campbell Homes; Designer: Lita Dirks & Co.; Photo: Paul Kohlman

The furniture feel of this island makes it a perfect complement to the adjacent living areas. Note the mix of door hardware styles and the island countertop’s beveled edge — small touches that have a big impact. Photo: Jerry Kalyniuk

Crisp white cabinets with glass-front doors and a tile backsplash laid on the diagonal contrast with warm wood flooring. The beadboard detail on the island adds a custom touch. Community: Stapleton Conservatory Green; Builder: Parkwood Homes; Designer: Lita Dirks & Co.; Photo: Vic Moss

This kitchen is a feast for the eyes with its mix of inset and overlay door styles, cabinet hardware, light and dark tones, and materials. Designer: Sweet Peas Design; Photo: Jerry Kalyniuk
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Don’t design it yourself

Rich, dark cabinets and deeply veined granite countertops elevate the kitchen of Plan 3 at Northbrook above the home’s $280,000 price tag. Northbrook is a community by Woodside Homes in Stockton, Calif. Photo: Woodside Homes

There’s no reason dark and light can’t mix. The kitchen of the Saratoga plan at Summit Pines in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., a Pulte Homes community, features quartz countertops with a tile backsplash. The island has ample space for dining, serving, and food preparation. Photo: Pulte Homes

This kitchen is the centerpiece of the Balboa plan at Bella Brisas, a Woodside Homes community in Sacramento, Calif. It has a peninsula for dining and is a bright, airy space that integrates well with the rest of the home. Crisp, white cabinets and appliances, granite countertops, and a tile backsplash offer balance and contrast. Photo: Woodside Homes

Storage is maximized by putting shelves and glass doors at one end of the island. Chandelettes (mini chandeliers) over the island pack a bigger design punch than track or recessed lighting, but don’t cost much more. Designer: Sweet Peas Design; Photo: Jerry Kalyniuk
iWall Guides Customer Choices

Woodside Homes uses the Inspiration Wall (iWall) to help buyers coordinate their design selections with the style that best represents their taste.
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