Capitol Design | Award Winning Kitchen & Bathroom Design In Austin, TX

kitchen design

High End Kitchen Renovations

by

If you’re looking to make some high end kitchen renovations in your home, don’t feel anxious to keep up with the neighbors. A kitchen is where a lot of life takes place in a home. Don’t feel like you have to follow a particular high end kitchen renovations trend just to fit in.

Instead, view your high end kitchen renovations as a way to make your kitchen more usable, more stylish and more like the home you’ve always dreamed of. How do you plan to use your kitchen?

If you’re an entertainer, then you won’t blink an eye to spend some extra cash on a nice wine cooler, and lots of funky bar seating. If you’re a chef, then your extra dough will definitely be going for a professional range and appliances. And, if you’re a family, definitely splurge on storage in the form of cabinets and closets. Go for it! Make your high end kitchen renovations work for your lifestyle.

Where to spend your money for high end kitchen renovations

Warranteed and energy-efficient kitchen appliances

If you plan on cooking at all in your kitchen, you’ll want to get fully warranteed and energy efficient appliances. High end kitchen renovations aren’t all about the style, but also the functionality. Practical yet stylish appliances will allow you to cook gourmet meals from the comfort of your own home, while also looking great in the process.

If you want to save money on your high end kitchen renovations, don’t do so with the appliances if you’re planning on cooking.

Luxurious kitchen countertops

Countertops can easily become the focal point of a high end kitchen renovation. And best of all, countertops are both stylish and functional. And, there are tons of options for materials. From granite to soapstone, and even wood—you can really make your countertops your own for your high end kitchen renovations.

If you want to save some money on countertops, consider getting a laminate that mimics the style of a high-end cabinet material like granite. Laminate does wear better than a lot of the pricier materials, and is incredibly functional for clean-ups. You can really get high end kitchen renovations without the huge cost when it comes to countertops.

Custom kitchen cabinets

Custom cabinets for your high end kitchen renovations will definitely eat into your budget. If you want to do something really unique for your specific space and use high-end materials, then you’re looking at a large cost for your custom cabinets. However, your high end kitchen renovations will definitely be worth it with gorgeous custom cabinetry to frame your entire kitchen redesign.

If you want to save some money on your high end kitchen renovations, try getting new doors for your cabinets rather than going for the fully customized look.

Stylish kitchen backsplashes

You can add a touch of class to your kitchen with a high end backsplash. Opt for vintage Dutch or handpainted tiles. Your kitchen will be absolutely unique with a custom backsplash to add some color to your high end kitchen renovations.

What do you need for your high end kitchen renovations?

Let us help! Send an email to our expert team to get specific tips and tricks for your high end kitchen renovations.

How to Plan a Luxury Kitchen Remodel

by

Are you ready for a luxurious update to your home? What better way to infuse style and class into the ambiance of your home, than with a luxury kitchen remodeling project.

This guide will show you exactly how to plan a luxury kitchen remodeling for your specific needs. Are you ready to go all-in and completely redesign your kitchen, or are you looking for quick and simple fix for your existing kitchen?

No matter if you’re planning a large luxury kitchen remodeling, or a simple switch-a-roo of some elements in your kitchen, read on to find out exactly what you should consider as you go along.

3 Things to consider for your luxury kitchen remodeling project

How do you plan to use your luxury kitchen?

Do you plan to do more heavy-duty, or light cooking in your kitchen? If you’re the main chef, then you can probably decide on your own what types of surfaces would work best for you. However, if you employ a cooking staff, then you’ll want to quiz them on how they cook and what types of materials could improve their workflow.

Do you expect lots of traffic in your kitchen? If so, you’ll want to consider more resilient materials for your flooring that will also retain that elegant style that you’re looking for in your luxury kitchen remodeling.

Will you be able to handle yearly maintenance on certain items for your luxury kitchen remodeling? Chat with your family to see how they feel about maintenance. For example, some countertops like soapstone require you to apply mineral oil so it ages to perfection. Granite, and limestone also need to be sealed once per year. If this is too invasive for your lifestyle, you may want to consider other countertops for your luxury kitchen remodeling.

What style elements are important to you?

Of course style plays a huge role in every luxury kitchen remodeling. How would you define your interior design style? Do you prefer a more rustic, or modern look? Do you value function over style, or style over function? All of these questions will need to be considered when planning your luxury kitchen remodeling.

Be sure to work closely with your kitchen designer to ensure that you’ve combined all the elements in your kitchen to work together for an overall style that suits your personality.

What’s your budget for your luxury kitchen remodeling?

Luxury kitchen remodeling can take a real toll on your purse. Luxury materials like granite and vintage wooden floors can easily consume most of your budget. If you’re also looking to bring in designer furniture and lighting, then it can really all add up.

Luckily your kitchen designer can help you to plan out your luxury kitchen remodeling in a way that honors your budget. Be honest with your designer upfront about your maximum budget so that they watch out to make sure you don’t go over.

What are your luxury kitchen remodeling questions?

Email our team to get answers to all of your luxury kitchen remodeling questions.

Kitchen Renovations: Where to Start

by

So, you know that you definitely want to do a kitchen renovation, but you’re not quite sure where to start? Look no further, as this definitive guide will give you all the answers you need for planning the perfect renovation for your kitchen.

Make a list and make sketches

Kitchen renovations require proper planning. Take the time to really think and discuss with your family their requirements for a new kitchen. What are the pros and cons of the current kitchen? Are there elements that you’d like to keep?

Kitchen renovations are inherently creative processes and it can sometimes help to keep moodboards, or make sketches of your dream kitchen. You can always use these later when discussing kitchen renovations with your kitchen designer and construction staff.

Discuss construction with your family

Kitchen renovations can be very messy and time consuming. You can expect to have a construction crew sawing and drilling in your home for months if you’re doing an extensive kitchen renovations project.

Will someone be home to stay with the construction workers as they work? Which season would work best for your family to begin construction? How much construction can you really take?

Discussing kitchen renovations projects upfront can ease the stress and help you to plan the perfect timeline with your construction team.

Think about your kitchen renovations requirements

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with kitchen renovations when you think of the project as a whole. However, breaking the kitchen renovations down into smaller chunks can help you to process your needs.

First, think about your countertops. What kind of cooking do you plan on doing? Talk with your designer and see which materials would best meet your specific needs.

What kind of storage would work best for you? Do you need custom cabinets or can you use some ready-made ones for your kitchen renovations?

Go through your kitchen item by item. Take a look at the counter tops, floors, cabinets, lighting, walls, windows, sink, stove, fridge, dishwasher, etc. and make a note of any changes that you imagine taking place in your kitchen renovations.

Decide on your design and construction teams

Eventually, once you’ve done as much planning as you possibly can on your end, you may want to hire a professional kitchen designer and construction crew.

A kitchen designer will be able to help you plan your kitchen renovations in excruciating detail. They’ll also be able to help you find and purchase local materials for the best deal. And, they can liaise with your construction crew to get things done.

Together, a kitchen renovations designer and a construction team will help you to build your dream kitchen—whether than means smashing down walls, or simply putting in new cabinets.

What kitchen renovations are you planning?

Are you just looking at options at this point, or are you getting ready to get started with your kitchen renovations?

Shoot us an email with your specific questions and our expert team will get back with you. We’d love to help you plan your dream kitchen.

Kitchen Lighting Options

by

Selecting the Right Kitchen Lighting Options

So, you’re ready to remodel your kitchen? You’re probably thinking of your flooring, cabinets and appliance options right off the bat. But, have you considered your kitchen lighting options? Lighting is what makes your kitchen cozy on dark winter days and allows you to sit up late with your kids at the kitchen table helping them with homework. You definitely don’t want to overlook your kitchen lighting options and that is when an experienced kitchen designer can help.

Kitchen Chandeliers

Are you remodeling your kitchen for a very expensive look? Why not hang a chandelier above the kitchen table for a real wow-effect? Vintage or new chandeliers will give your kitchen a look of elegance and refinement. Your dinner guests will certainly be impressed with your kitchen remodeling project and your lighting choice.

Decorative Kitchen Pendant Lighting

Decorate pendant kitchen lighting options will give you a nice ambient glow, while also mimicking the classy look of a chandelier. Decorative pendant lighting comes in all shapes and sizes, as well as all price ranges. So, take time to chat with your kitchen designer about which options may be in your price range.

Kitchen Lamps

Who says a kitchen can’t have some lamps? Yes, we commonly think of lamps as living room, or bedroom lights, rather than kitchen lighting options. However, you’d be surprised how a few lamps can really add a sense of style and class to a kitchen. Why not add a lamp with a country chic shade to your kitchen counter? You’ll love the homey feeling this will give to your new kitchen. You can also try a standing lamp in a corner that lacks illumination. This is a great low cost method for lighting your kitchen.

Kitchen Track Lighting

Track lights will give you a bit more flexibility in terms of lighting all the areas of your kitchen. Yes, you might be used to seeing track lights in museums, but they really do look great in a kitchen. Track lighting will allow you the flexibility to point each light in the direction of your choosing. This is great for illuminating darker areas. However, you can’t switch one light on and another one off with track lighting options. Unfortunately, it’s all or nothing with track lights.

Kitchen Flush Mount Lighting

Flush mount lighting comes in a tremendous variety of styles. Some styles are bulbs, while others mimic the style of chandeliers. The real defining factor in a flush mount light is that there is little to no gap between the fixture and the ceiling. The flush mount light is mounted directly onto the ceiling. This type of lighting is extremely versatile and will provide ambient illumination throughout the entire kitchen.

Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting

If you love cooking, you’ll probably love under-cabinet lighting, as well. This kitchen lighting option will provide you with excellent illumination in all of those hard to reach places. Now, you can cook any time of day and be able to see everything flawlessly. Once you install under-cabinet lighting, you really won’t be able to live without it.

Recessed Kitchen Lighting

Recessed lighting is a very modern form of lighting in which the light fixture is actually recessed into the ceiling. This unobtrusive and modern type of lighting is a great kitchen lighting option for your redesign. You can easily have a dimmer attached to your recessed lighting, which will give you the control of dimming or illuminating your kitchen with the touch of a button. Additionally, recessed lighting can be wired individually, which will allow you to illuminate certain areas of the kitchen when needed.

Which kitchen lighting option will you choose? Let the kitchen design experts at Capitol Design help you select the perfect kitchen lighting options for your kitchen.

Kitchen Appliance Options

by

Selecting the right kitchen appliances is a huge component of any kitchen remodeling project. After all, the main purpose of a kitchen is to cook. Even if your kitchen remodeling project’s main priority is to update your kitchen for a modern look, you’ll still want to update your appliances. You’ll be surprised at how efficient and productive new kitchen appliances can be, in addition to looking stylish.

Have a chat with your kitchen designer to see how you can select a range of kitchen appliances from all of your options so that your kitchen is both stylish and functional.

Kitchen Cooktops

Cooktops come in a variety of styles including gas, electric and induction. Induction is the best way to minimize heat loss, while also bringing a pot to boil incredibly quickly. Stainless steel cookware will work best with induction heating, and you’ll want to make sure that your pots and pants don’t have any dents, as that can undermine the heat efficiency of induction heating.

Another type of cooktop is gas burners. Gas burning kitchen appliance options will allow you to quickly turn the heat up or down with a very high level of control. However, a gas burner will typically take longer than an electric burner to heat a pot of water.

Electric cooktops are a great kitchen appliance option. Electric coils are able to heat quickly and thoroughly for an all-over heat. However, cleaning those coils can be quite a hassle if you’re a messy cooker. If you prefer a quick and painless cleanup, go for the induction heated tops.

If you’re out looking at different kitchen appliance options for your cooktops, be sure to ask the sales associate about the BTU for each one. BTU stands for British Thermal Units and the best cooktops should be 9,000 BTUs and up.

Kitchen Ovens

When looking at your kitchen appliance options, you definitely won’t want to overlook an oven. Ovens come mainly in convection and conventional style heating. Convection ovens use a fan to push hot air into the oven. This allows your food to cook more evenly—even if you’re using both the top and bottom rack.

Conventional ovens don’t have a fan, which means that food may cook unevenly if you are using both racks. However, people have been using conventional ovens for years. It’s really up to you to decide if you prefer the modern or more traditional choice. Both conventional and convection ovens can be hooked up with either electric or gas power.

Kitchen Range Hoods

You won’t want to forget range hoods when considering your kitchen appliance options for your upcoming kitchen redesign. Range hoods are incredibly functional and help you to reduce moisture and cooking smells from your kitchen. If you’re a novice cook, you’ll definitely want a range hood, as it will protect your kitchen from the ghastly smells of burnt food. Even expert chefs demand range hoods—they’re stylish, functional and completely utilitarian.

Under the cabinet range mounts can fit into your cabinet work. Talk with your kitchen designer and contractor to see if an under the cabinet range hood would work best with your custom cabinetry.

Wall mounted cabinet range mounts often have a decorative chimney and can add a real touch of style to any kitchen.

Finally, island range mounts can sit above an island in your kitchen. If you plan on having your stove top on an island, this one is for you.

Which kitchen appliance options are for you? Let the experts at Capitol Design help find the right kitchen appliances for your kitch.