Dark cabinets with a dark palette are very popular in today’s kitchens. Whether you purchased a home with a dark kitchen or you’re remodeling to create a dark kitchen, we have a few different ways to brighten it just enough to be amazing. So if you have your heart set on dark kitchen cabinets with dark flooring, but you’re worried about it being too dungeon-like, we have the solution for you.

Decorative Accent Colors

You can add just enough color or brightness to your dark kitchen with a single accent wall and matching decorative items. For example, a bright green, yellow, or orange are known appetite stimulants. They’re also excellent colors for an accent wall and other decorative accents. Use a wall that can be repainted easily so you can change colors and decor whenever you choose.

Reflective Surfaces

Use countertops, a backsplash, appliances, and furnishings that reflect light and color. Take the time and opportunity to design a backsplash that reflects light so you can use it to take advantage of both installed and natural lighting.

Neutral Accents

Neutral colors like shades of off-white, gray, and almond are excellent choices for the walls in an otherwise-dark kitchen. They’re also excellent for decorative accents throughout the kitchen. But the number-one secret to loving your dark kitchen is…

Perfectly Designed Lighting

Anyone can install a light fixture in the center of the ceiling and call it done. But this isn’t the type of lighting you need in your kitchen. One single light fixture will cast shadow and make the kitchen even darker, effectively creating the dungeon-like feel that you’re trying to avoid. The types of lighting you need in a dark kitchen are:

• Down Lights: Lights that point straight down from the ceiling. Recessed lighting is perfect for down lighting. This is likely the ambient lighting that you will use for everyday use, so choose LCD bulbs that last longer and provide a more natural light than other types of bulbs.
• Toe-Kick Lights: Lights that are installed under the lip of the base cabinets. They may resemble runway lights when all other lights in the kitchen are off. They illuminate a good portion of the floor so the primary lights don’t need to be turned on at night if you’re just making a quick trip to the fridge.
• Under-Cabinet Task Lighting: Lights that are installed behind or underneath the upper cabinets. They illuminate the countertop and provide a good amount of light for performing routine tasks like cutting vegetables or otherwise preparing food.
• Pendant Lighting: Pendant lighting is perfect over the kitchen island or the bar. Consider using Edison bulbs or hand blown bulbs for pendant lighting to increase the aesthetic appeal.
• Range Lights: Everyone needs lights over the cook top, but not all range hoods have built-in lighting. Install lighting that perfectly lights the cook top area.
• Sink Lights: Doing dishes is never fun, but it’s downright frustrating when there’s insufficient lighting. Proper lighting above the sink also helps when you’re washing fruits or vegetables in preparation of a meal.

Call us at 404-378-6962 and allow us to show you why we have a 97% referral rate on our amazing remodeled kitchens. Our clients love our work as much as we love providing our kitchen remodeling services in Decatur and the surrounding areas. We often design the entire floor plan for the new kitchen based on the needs and desires expressed by the client. We are often asked to help choose colors, fixtures, trim, and other finishing touches to ensure a cohesive and unique finished kitchen.

Most people start to think about refreshing the look of their kitchens early in the year. This gives them enough time to start planning their projects and to learn about the hottest trends that can provide some inspiration. Retailers of home improvement products and home contractors are good sources of ideas for kitchen remodeling. To make it easier for you, here are some of the most popular trends for this year.

1. Wood-look ceramic tiles. The beauty of wood is timeless, but the material and the installation can prove too costly for some. The production of ceramic tiles has become so advanced that many of these products perfectly mimic the look of wood. Now more homeowners are choosing these tiles to save money while getting the look of luxury.
2. Stainless steel appliances. The sleek finish of stainless steel makes it ideal for kitchens, and for many homeowners it is the best option. It works well with various colors, and all it requires for maintenance is a quick wipe down.
3. Farmhouse sinks. This underscores the utilitarian nature of the kitchen, while adding some old world charm. They have become so popular that you can now choose from a number of material options including stainless steel, copper, soapstone, slate, granite and vitreous china.
4. Luxury countertops. Low cost options in countertops are here to stay, but there are good reasons to spend more to get a luxury countertop. The timeless nature of granite and marble make them good investments in the kitchen. Luxury countertops can increase your remodeling budget, but you can keep them in place for many years without worrying that new trends will leave them behind.
5. Creative storage. This adds to the innovative look of the kitchen, and it gets rids of clutter while making meal preparation easier. Many people are now opting for mini pantries, but storage can also be tucked underneath countertops and in kitchen islands.
6. Pendant lighting. This is great for drawing attention to particular spots in the kitchen. Antique pendant lighting fixtures are especially attractive, and they will work with different types of kitchen decor.
7. Darker floors. This is the perfect way to find balance with walls and cabinets that have a light tone. You can choose tiles with darker, earthy tones, but if you have a hardwood floor, try a dark stain.

The kitchen is one of the most valuable spaces in the home, which is why it tends to deliver on investment. Watching the trends can keep your remodeling project on the right creative track, and help you to fine tune your budget. Give us a call at 404-378-6962 if you plan to implement any of these amazing 2017 kitchen trends and would like help with the design, choosing the best materials, or if you’re still looking for the ideal contractor for your project.

The kitchen is one of the most used spaces in many homes. We socialize there, create meals for our family and guests, and often enjoy meals there. Though a great kitchen design begins with necessities, creating a space that captures your unique design style is possible. Here are some ideas for creating a creative kitchen backsplash that adds interest and personality.

Using glass as a backsplash in a contemporary kitchen design adds interest and creates a modern feel. Sheets of custom cut ultra-clear glass allow for almost endless possibilities. Custom wallpaper with your favorite recipes, labels from your favorite foods, or nearly anything else can create the perfect backdrop for your backsplash.

Using non-traditional materials is another great way to add a personal touch to your kitchen. If you’re looking for something shimmery, tiling the wall with pennies covered in a layer of epoxy can create a fun visual with a reclaimed vibe.

Perhaps your personality is a little bit more colorful – why not create a one of a kind whimsical backsplash with buttons? Cute, colorful, unique buttons can be found in bulk at garage sales, craft stores, and thrift stores, and attached to the wall with double-sided adhesive. Once in place, they can be grouted just like normal tile for a uniform surface that’s easier to wipe down.

For wine lovers, what better way to customize your kitchen than with a statement backsplash constructed with corks? You can use corks saved from your favorite bottles or favorite wineries to create a unique backsplash your friends are sure to admire.

Even if traditional materials are more your speed, there are lots of ways to create a beautiful, unique design using them. In a contemporary kitchen, one way to add dramatic interest is with texture. For a kitchen backsplash with a wow factor, woven copper can be beautiful and create conversation. Using strips of copper in a basket weave pattern will add shine, kept beautiful with a sealant to prevent patina from developing.

Using tile to create a custom patterned backsplash can be a great way to customize a kitchen. A simple geometric pattern like stripes, diamonds, or chevrons can add interest and with different widths and colors of tile, the options are limitless.

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter to see what we’re doing or if we have any specials going for kitchen or bathroom remodeling. Contact us using our contact form, or call us at 404-378-6962 to schedule an appointment for a consultation if you’re in Decatur or the surrounding areas and would like to remodel with us.