Kitchen Design | The Bath ShowcaseThe Bath Showcase

When it comes to kitchen countertops, they are all susceptible to getting stains, nicks, spills, and just plain dirty from the amount of usage the countertop will get over its lifetime. To prevent the countertop from looking aged there are a few basic care tips that you can apply to ensure that the look of the granite countertop is just like when it was first installed. Just like our blog on marble countertops, here are four ways to care for a granite kitchen countertop.

Cleaning Methods For A Granite Kitchen Countertop

Light Daily Cleaning

One of the most important things you can do for any countertop or appliance in your kitchen is to perform light daily cleaning. For granite countertops, you will want to use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to clean the countertop. The difference between this type of countertop over others is that you should use a formulated granite cleaning product rather than just soap and water. Once you are finished dry it with a separate cloth or paper towel, and just like a marble top, don't use abrasive cleaners as it can destroy the sealant.

Caring For Spills

When it comes to the kitchen, at some point there will be spills that happen either on the kitchen table or on the countertop. As with all spills, the quicker you clean them up after the spill happens the safer your countertop will be. For granite tops, you will want to blot the spill with a soft cloth or paper towel then clean the area with a granite cleaner and dry with a fresh cloth.

Caring For Heat

The big thing to know about granite countertops is that although they are durable, big changes in temperature can harm or crack the granite. A lot of the times with countertops when items are finished in the oven or stovetop we place them on the counter to cool down. If your countertop is granite, you are better off putting the hot pot or pan on a trivet or something between the heated surface and the granite.

Frequent Sealing

Just like with marble tops, granite countertops will need a stone sealer to protect the countertop from dirt buildup and staining. While darker granite usually requires less frequent seal over lighter colored granite, apply sealant is still something you should do. If you are worried about stains, you should opt for a darker colored granite as these types are denser, less porous, and less at risk for staining. Whenever you perform cleaning on your granite countertop you should consider applying a sealant to keep that brand new look. If you are looking to remodel your kitchen using the latest appliances and amenities, be sure to contact The Bath Showcase for more information on how we can assist you to reach your goal!

Whether you are renovating or remodeling your kitchen, having a marble countertop is a great way to add some pop to the layout of your kitchen. Marble is known for its classic and luxurious look that is very versatile no matter what kind of feel you are going with your kitchen. Whether you are going for a more modern look or a professional look for your kitchen, a marble countertop is a perfect addition to help with that goal. When it comes to marble, in order to have it last a while and look great for years to come there are some care and maintenance steps you need to take. Below are four ways to care for your marble countertops if you have any.

4 Things To Do To Care For Marble Countertops

Sealant

When it comes to marble, it is one of the more porous stones, so you have to protect the surface by keeping it well sealed. When you buy a marble countertop or any countertop at that, they do not come with a sealant on it so whether you have the installer do it or yourself, make sure you apply a sealant on it. When it comes to marble countertops nowadays they are either polished or honed so they can prevent scratches from happening but they could still be open to having stains on them. With a sealant, you won't have to worry about either scratches or stains happening on your countertop.

Clean Daily

To keep your countertop looking pristine as well as just doing regular cleaning for your kitchen to not have a mess, wipe down your countertop daily using a nonabrasive cloth or sponge and mild soap and water. By doing this not only are you doing a general cleaning routine, but you are also ensuring the sealant remains effective. It is pivotal that you do not use an abrasive substance to clean your countertop as you will be stripping away the sealant and leaving the stone vulnerable to stains.

Remove Stains & Etching

If you are cleaning your countertop and there are areas that aren't getting cleaned or are "etched" then you will need to do a more aggressive cleaning method. This is when using an abrasive material is ok to use as this will be the only way to get rid of the stain that is under the sealant of your countertop. Instead of using regular soap and water, try using a cleanser such as Ajax and using an abrasive sponge to remove the sealant and allow you to tackle the stain head-on. Once the stained areas are removed, reapply the sealant you had used prior and then you will have a fresh looking countertop.

Getting Rid Of Stubborn Stains

When all is said and done, there may be some stains that are just too stubborn to come off with the above cleaning methods. When this happens, you will need to call a stone refinisher. These technicians will do a professional cleaning using special grinders as well as fine-grit sandpaper. While you may thing sandpaper will harm the marble, it actually is a great way to get rid of nicks or chips on your countertop. When you are finished with the cleaning, always make sure to reapply sealant so your countertop is protected from here on out. If you are looking to remodel or renovate your kitchen or bathroom, be sure to contact The Bath Showcase for more information.

Cabinets can add a lot of style and color to your kitchen. Choosing which type you want or need can really pull your kitchen together and make it what you envisioned. When going through the kitchen remodeling process, it’s important to know the different types of options you have for cabinetry. Depending on how the room is shaped and where you want appliances to go can determine which type of cabinet may fit your kitchen best.

Common Types of Cabinets

Stock

Stock cabinets come cheaper than other cabinets, but with limited options. These usually come in common sizes and finishes, but can still give your kitchen a great new look if you want something simple. These cabinets are ready for when you need them.

Semi-Custom

Semi-custom cabinets offer more of a variety of finishes and features than stock cabinets. This way, you can give your kitchen a more personalized look and feel, without paying the price of completely custom cabinetry. You can choose different organization inserts and door racks, as well as adding crown molding. This type of cabinet usually takes 4 to 8 weeks to be done and delivered.

Custom

Custom cabinetry can be great if you want to choose the wood, finish, features, and modifications. The craftsmen can meet any need of your kitchen and give you a completely new design from scratch. This is great if you renovating your entire kitchen and need to start from the ground up.

5 Cabinet Styles For Your Kitchen

After choosing which type of cabinets would be best for your kitchen remodel, you need to choose the styles that fit your needs.

Base Cabinets

Base cabinets, also known as lower cabinets, can provide a good base for heavy countertops or as a base for an island. These cabinets are great for storage of small kitchen appliances, as well as pots and pans. For semi-custom and custom designs, this is a great area to add organization elements or a lazy susan spot.

Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets, or mounted cabinets, are great for adding functionality and style to your kitchen. These are great spaces to hold dishes and glasses, as well as a small pantry area for snacks and cereal. These are great areas to add in clear cabinet doors to show off your good china, or add personalized storage units for spices and seasonings.

Tall Cabinets

Tall cabinets also called pantry cabinets or utility cabinets, are great spaces for food storage. These types of cabinets can be made up to 96 inches in height. Tall cabinets can also go around your stacked ovens or microwave if they’re built into the wall. These cabinets are great to have as a pullout door full of shelves for easy organization.

Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors are used as the visually appealing part of the cabinet. Adding on hardware and finishes that match your kitchen can add a lot of style and personalization in an easy way. You can also add racks to the doors for organizing kitchenware.

Cabinet Drawers

Cabinet drawers can come with a variety of fronts that have different designs. They can also come with a soft-close feature which can make them shut on their own once you push them. This makes them impossible to slam shut. As well as the doors, you can add personalized hardware to drawers. Once you learn about the different types of kitchen cabinets there is to offer, you’ll have an easier time picking ones that are perfect for your remodeling project. If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or looking for kitchen cabinets in general, be sure to contact The Bathshowcase for more information on all of our kitchen amenities!

Looking to enhance your kitchen or bathroom without going over the top with a whole remodel? While you can update your appliances to stainless steel or installing new countertops, you can also install a tile backsplash as well. Below are some benefits to having a backsplash put into your kitchen or bathroom. Increase Value of Home When it comes to valuing a home if you are looking to sell, Realtors will often look for the kitchen and bathroom for selling points. Whether there is up to date appliances, or special features that enhance the experience and value of the room. Backsplashes create a modern and updated feel to a kitchen as it shows potential buyers that you are keeping up with interior design trends and not having outdated looking rooms. Quick and Easy Installation What makes backsplashes such a sought-after room addition for a kitchen or bathroom is not only because they enhance a room but because the installation is quick and easy. They also do not take up too much space so they provide a small accent of enhancement while not taking up too much space to install. Color and Design Backsplashes are perfect for if you are looking to add some color or personality to a room. This is because there are a wide variety of colors and patterns you can choose for your backsplash. If you are looking to add an addition to a room and keep the color scheme you have already, there will be a backsplash for that. If you are trying to add something to give a room some "pop" then a brightly colored or uniquely patterned backsplash will be perfect to do just that as well! Protection Backsplashes not only visually enhance a kitchen or bathroom but they have a functioning purpose as well. Backsplashes main purposes are to protect walls from food spills and splatters from sinks when you are washing either your hands or dishes. It is inevitable that there will be some splashes of food or dirt and a backsplash protects your walls from these things. Low Maintenance Whenever you add something to a room or home, maintenance is always something to think about. Since your backsplashes will most likely get dirty protecting your walls, those looking to install these will wonder how hard it will be to clean them. The great thing is that maintenance for backsplashes is very easy to do. Once you are ready to clean them, just take some cleaning fluid and a soft cloth and simply wipe off the tiles. With backsplashes being made of tiles, it will be easy to simply wipe off any dirty areas as tiles are relatively easy to clean in general. If you are looking to enhance your kitchen or bathroom or looking for a whole remodel be sure to contact the Bath Showcase today!

A kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Some people spend a lot of time in the kitchen. They most likely do so to fulfill their passion for baking and cooking some great food. A great work space for cooking can always help you produce your best meals. While a conveniently designed setup may help, the aesthetics you choose for yourself can have a huge impact on your mood and your food. When designing your new kitchen in 2018, you can choose designs, colors and, gadgets that suit you best. Below are some points to consider for this fall.

Gadgets for Your Kitchen

Leveraging technology is the wisest move to get your work done, no matter what your expertise may be in the kitchen. With cooking, you can make your processes more efficient and enjoyable with technology integrated with blenders, refrigeration, lighting, and kitchen faucets among others. Tech-oriented kitchens are quickly becoming increasingly popular as homeowners try new and exciting technologies.

Color Selection to Match Your Taste

While you could go with a totally white surrounding, darker colors can be liberating when you choose the right shades. This is much like low illumination you might find comforting. 2018 has brought a range of colors for you to choose for your cabinets and countertops. For example, grey cabinets are extremely versatile and can complement any look. On the other hand, dark kitchen cabinets exude elegance as well as a rich and luxurious atmosphere. However, that is not all as another amazing color palette is gradually making its way into our kitchens. These are dark jewel tones and include navy, black, emerald green and even plum. Yes, you read that right!

Designs and Materials

There are a few things you can do to free up some room and create some breathing space. You can get rid of anything that looks bulky as part of your kitchen remodeling ideas for more free space. Also, include more effective designs for things like kitchen sinks that should be sufficiently deep and large to accommodate a variety of items for washing. You can free up more room with:

Top shelves
Removing bulky cabinets
Countertop space utility (quartz)
Materials and textures

Hardwood Floors or Ceramic Tile

There is no denying that hardwood flooring is still the most popular option for kitchen flooring. That being said, ceramic flooring is now emerging as the second most popular option and garnering more attention. With technological advances, ceramic flooring is now available in a diverse variety of styles, designs, and sizes. Now you can buy ceramic tiles for your kitchen that resemble hardwood flooring. Isn’t that great!

Special Space for Pets in Your Kitchen

Most of us have and love pets. Our kitties and pups are with us on our couch or bed. Although kitchens are generally not the ideal places for pets or children, if you are an animal lover, you will feel differently about restricting your pet or keeping your kitchen off limits. The solution is to have space where you train your pet to sit, stand, eat or even sleep. You can have a special space created for your pet where you can place its belongings so that it gets the idea. Somewhere out of the way, toward a corner would be best to keep your pet safe. If you are interested in remodeling your kitchen with the latest design trends, contact us today!

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