Contemporary Kitchen Archives - Dynamic Group

Best Kitchen Improvements to Do Now

Darek Kopacz — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:12:18 +0000

Families are spending increasingly more time in kitchens, and more home improvements are being made to make them more functional and space-efficient. Investing in kitchen renovations is not just great for an improved lifestyle, but in case you intend to sell the house in the future, you can expect a better return on investment or ROI. That’s because homebuyers in 2022 would prefer to buy a property that has a spacious, beautiful kitchen with all the essential appliances and accessories they may need. Let’s take a quick look at the best upgrades for your kitchen.

1. Go with lighter, neutral color themes.

Painting your kitchen is the simplest and best way to give it an instant upgrade. When choosing the color palette, remember to use light or neutral colors like beige, off-white, and gray. White is also a preferred color for the open, airy ambiance it lends to the kitchen. If you wish to infuse color, pick out a colorful backsplash or hang up vibrant food art. A bowl of fresh fruit or flowers also does the trick.

2. You absolutely need a backsplash.

The wall behind your stove will invariably attract food spatters and splashes when you cook. Getting a stain and water-resistant backsplash should be high on your list of priorities. Installing ceramic tiles is the best option since they are easy to clean. Alternatively, you can go with heat-resistant glass, metal, or natural stone. However, laminate is a practical solution if you’re looking for a quick, low-cost fix.

3. Choose your flooring carefully.

Considering that your kitchen will have heavy footfall, you’ll pick out the flooring that is durable and resistant to scratches. Since there’s always the possibility of food and beverage spills and splashes, you’ll choose materials like ceramic or porcelain. These tiles are easy to clean and maintain, and lighter colors help liven up the kitchen. If you would prefer hardwood, oak and bamboo planks are great choices.

4. Experiment with innovative countertops.

When you start to search around, you will be floored by the incredible array of choices for countertop materials. The exciting thing is that you can play around with different color palettes using the tops as the focal point of your kitchen improvement. Think granite, quartz, concrete, glass, Formica, and more.

5. Open up your spaces with a kitchen island.

Architects and home designers now recommend that you integrate a kitchen island, even if that means altering your home’s floor plan and taking down walls. Not only do kitchen islands enhance the decor, but they can also serve as dining areas, cooking prepping and serving stations, or a makeshift bar for mixing cocktails when friends come over.

6. Upgrade your cabinets for a fresh look and feel.

The simplest and quickest kitchen improvement tip is to upgrade the hardware. New crown molding, knobs, and pulls are a great way to transform the entire kitchen. A quick DIY paint job can also give the cabinets a new look. If you’re open to replacing the upper sections, consider adding inches to provide more storage space.

7. Always invest in stainless steel finish appliances.

Although stainless steel finish appliances have been around since the 1950s, they have only become more available and affordable in the 20th century. Steel and chrome add a contemporary look to any kitchen and are recommended since they are easy to clean and maintain. Homeowners investing in new appliances can choose from a wide range of cooktops, fridges, dishwashers, and microwaves.

8. Get lighting solutions to create the perfect ambiance.

Your kitchen improvement project would not be complete without the right lighting solutions. For a diffused look, go for a blend of lights and placements like under-cabinet, over-cabinet, and floor-level lighting. You’ll need pendant lights for the kitchen island and brighter ones for the stove to give proper visibility to your cooking. If you’re looking for easy-to-install options, strip lights should be your choice.

9. Maximize your storage space.

Should you start to search around, you’ll come across several solutions that maximize the utility of your cabinets and storage areas. Think lazy susan corner shelves, so it is easy to reach the back of the cabinet. Also, get shelf dividers so you can stack more items and maximize your use of the cabinet height.

10. Pick up quality products.

When renovating your kitchen, never compromise on the quality of the materials you’re using, whether for the countertop, the backsplash, or the appliances. Spend a little more, even if that means pacing your kitchen improvements and completing the project in stages as the funds become available. Not only will your fittings last longer, but quality always shows through in the finished product.

With so many elements to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Thankfully, the folks at Dynamic Plus have years of experience and are happy to offer a consultation. How about you schedule an appointment https://dynamicgroupplus.com/schedule-appointment/ and get some inputs on the best trending designs today.

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Ready to Design a New Kitchen? First Steps to Getting Started

Darek Kopacz — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:16:07 +0000

Contemporary kitchens are no longer just places where you cook meals for the family. This room is a bustling, happy place where the entire family gathers in the mornings and evenings to eat, bond, and share their day’s activities over wholesome food. Kitchens nourish the family’s soul and with more people working from home, it’s also the spot where you’ll find members lounging, snacking, drinking, and relaxing. With so much going on, the modern kitchen layout should incorporate practical designs that keep appliances, storage solutions, surfaces, and cooking spaces carefully organized.

So, How Would You Design Your Kitchen?

The first step to designing a contemporary kitchen is to put together a wish list of the elements you absolutely need. Next, work out whether you would like to get a complete makeover to change the kitchen layout entirely or simply repair or replace the broken down and worn-out sections. For instance, would you like to replace the stove, countertops, flooring, cabinets, or backsplash? Do you need to install a second sink or replace the range hood? Oftentimes, renovations like replacing the cabinet hardware, investing in a new fridge, a coat of paint, or a thorough cleaning are enough to give the kitchen a facelift and have it looking as good as new.

Determine the Budget and Permits

Once you figure out the wish list, you’ll determine exactly how much you can spend. Aside from the costs of getting appliances, tiling, flooring, and other fixtures, you must also account for the cost of wiring, plumbing, lighting, decorative elements, and labor costs. Make sure to include at least a 10% to 20% contingency for unexpected expenses. A good starting point is listing the non-negotiable renovations and elements like a new double-door fridge or chipped and broken backsplash tiles.

If you intend to undertake major structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing alterations, you’ll have to get a building permit. Rely on your experienced contractor to apply for and acquire the permits. Though, if the changes are complex, you might have to put in applications well ahead of the time when you intend to initiate the project.

Designing the Kitchen Layout

The kitchen layout will depend on the functionality you need. A good rule of thumb is to follow the triangle concept which ensures that you have the cooking implements, hob, fridge, sink, and supplies placed within easy reach for maximum efficiency. The layout will also depend on your cooking habits and how you organize mealtimes. So, if your family eats at the kitchen table, the workspace is best set up closer to the cooktop or serving area.

Do you have the kids doing their homework while you cook? You might need a table where you can keep an eye on them. Or, where your partner can sip a drink or toss the salad for dinner. Would you like to add a kitchen island? Work out if you’ll have adequate room to move around and how to use the space below for storage. If the island is large enough, it could double as a dining area with a sink close by to place the dishes for quick washing.

Choose the Layout According to the Space You Have Available

If you like to use a lot of gadgets and utensils, you’ll make sure they’re accessible. But, if you like the counters neat and uncluttered, you’ll want enough storage space to put them away right after you’re done using them. Clearing away the kitchen will become a lot quicker. Your kitchen dimensions will also dictate the final layout. For instance, smaller kitchens need smart storage solutions to maximize the usage of the available space.

Install lots of hooks on the walls to hang up pots and pans. Or fit the hooks on the underside of the cabinets to store mugs. Get cutting boards that can be placed on the sink and racks to place cooking pans. As for the cabinets, you could go with tall units that reach up to the ceiling. Use them to store items that you rarely use such as formal dinnerware that you pull out only during the Holidays and for special dinners with friends.

Let’s Talk About Practical Facets of Renovations

Whether you need to make minor repairs or give your kitchen a complete makeover, prepare for the spaces being unusable until the project is complete. You’ll figure out how to store the food, utensils, and cookware to keep it protected from damage and breakage. Most importantly, you’ll plan meals by getting takeout, eating at a friend’s, or having family bring over ready meals. If you have kids and pets, work out how to section off the kitchen during the renovation. If possible, move them to a friend’s place for a few days.

Designing a kitchen needs careful planning and prepping that is best left to the experts. You need experienced designers who can advise you on how to manage the project from step one to the final touch-ups and reorganizing your kitchen to have it fully functional. How about dropping by at our showroom? Use this form https://dynamicgroupplus.com/schedule-appointment/ to book an appointment, and let’s get started.

The post Ready to Design a New Kitchen? First Steps to Getting Started appeared first on Dynamic Group.

Design Elements Every Contemporary Kitchen Must Have

Darek Kopacz — Tue, 25 May 2021 18:28:27 +0000

Every homeowner in the 21st century would want their kitchen to look modernistic and stylish with the latest design elements that combine aesthetics and functionality. We’ll take you a step further by designing “contemporary” kitchens that constantly evolve to match their owners’ needs and upcoming trends. Next, we’ll infuse a little bit of their personality to create a contemporary kitchen that showcases an array of textures, materials, and patterns. We bring you designs that project a gorgeous layered look with sleek lines for the “Wow!” factor. Read ahead for some exciting information about how to design your kitchen.

Let’s Begin with the Functionality Aspect

When technology rules every aspect of your life, why should the kitchen be left behind? Contemporary kitchens feature cutting-edge gadgets available in the market today, complete with stainless steel and chrome finishes. You’ll go with appliances that look sleek and smart, not to mention integrated with phone apps giving you complete control over the temperature of your fridge and freezer to the exact time taken by the toaster. Expect delicious frozen yogurt and perfectly crisped golden toast thanks to the IoT.

Commercial-grade devices like built-in coffee makers, high-performance hoods and chimneys, and fuss-free induction cooktops that are easy to clean and maintain are other essentials of your new kitchen. And, did we mention the pop-up charging station with multiple outlets for your kitchen island?

Moving on to Storage

At Dynamic, we understand that you’ll want to maximize every inch of the available space you have. Trust us to design cabinets, islands, and kitchen tables with plenty of innovative solutions to manage your groceries and utensils, not to mention prized chinaware and crystals. With more homeowners in the 21st century dedicated to wholesome, home-cooked meals and a healthier lifestyle, we design kitchens like studios where you play around with food art. And, enjoy meals in the company of loved ones amidst delightful conversations.

Every item you might need is easily accessible but stored away behind slab-front cabinet doors that impress with their smooth fronts, zero ornamentation, and minimal hardware. Trust us to add stylish glass-fronted doors with diffused inner lighting to enhance your crystals. Under-cabinet lighting is yet another must-have for every contemporary kitchen in Chicago.

And, yes, we understand that you need ergonomically designed fittings that respond to the gentlest of touches. Our drawers come with neat compartments to keep every utensil organized with minimum possibility of clutter. Before we move on, pull-out shelves to use and store appliances deserve mention.

Materials for Your Countertops

Granite and marble are no longer the go-to choices for contemporary kitchen countertops. Instead, we would suggest innovative options like concrete and glass. Before you get visions of ugly gray slabs resembling a sidewalk in your kitchen, let’s inform you that concrete now has a whole new avatar. Manufacturers experimenting with concrete have developed a delightful lightweight version that is highly durable and versatile. You can expert a variety of colors and finishes that add to the aesthetics of your kitchen.

Glass is yet another option that works perfectly because it’s easy to clean, maintain, and available in a stunning range of hues and patterns. Glass tiles for the backsplash also add a whole new dimension to the ultimate appeal of the contemporary kitchen in Chicago. Yet another option is quartz that lends the look of granite without the hassles of cleaning and maintenance.

Color Palettes and Themes

Color palettes for your kitchen are more about highlighting the materials you’re using, blending with themes like a lush, green forest or the turquoise of the ocean, to name just a couple of ideas. Think white cabinets offset with a blue-green backsplash and shelves with birch chairs. Choose a delightful marble finish countertop with light tiles to lend an airy cheerful space to eat breakfast each morning. For the more intrepid homemaker, we would suggest apple green cabinets against off-white walls and light wooden tiles. Now that’s a splendid color scheme to highlight your chrome and stainless steel appliances.

Accessories? Absolutely!

Your contemporary kitchen is just like any other room, and our new-age homeowners love to add character to any interior. Choose gorgeous artwork to adorn the walls and add lots of greenery with potted plants. And when you’re ready for the finishing touches, we would suggest elegant light fixtures to illuminate your kitchen and the fabulous meals you cook. Your kitchen could serve as a home bar where you chill at the end of the day while pottering around putting together a meal with your significant other. Just remember to add some bar stools.

At Dynamic, we have a whole lot of innovative ideas for your kitchen in Chicago. We would welcome you to our showroom to introduce you to some of the possibilities. Ready to schedule an appointment? Use this form https://dynamicgroupplus.com/schedule-appointment/ to add your details, and we’ll get back to you soon.

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