How to Update Your Kitchen with Sustainable Kitchen Cabinetry

There are four pillars of sustainability. Today, we will discuss environmental sustainability. Often, we hear about disasters such as the chemical spill in Ohio. This is a reminder that toxic chemicals such as high levels of formaldehyde, are in many of the products we use daily. It is clear that we need to be diligent and evaluate the chemicals we bring into our home via furniture, cleaners, carpets, flooring, etc.  Reducing waste is another important topic when talking about sustainability.  The fewer unnecessary renovations you do (such as replacing kitchen cabinetry every 5-10 years) saves the natural resources necessary to complete the job and reduces landfill. Reducing chemicals in your home as well as waste are both important concerns for living a sustainable life. 

Sustainable Cabinetry - Rut Kitchen designed by Elite Kitchen & Bath

Sustainability should be everyone's responsibility. It is especially true if you live in a large city such as New York, where opportunities to live in harmony with nature are limited. Adopting eco-friendly design in your home will benefit your physical and mental health, and it will also save you money.  Updated appliances, air and water filtration and environmentally safe furniture, cabinets and cleaners will help you enjoy greater energy efficiency, and healthier surroundings. In this article, we suggest how to update your kitchen with sustainable kitchen cabinetry and products that become part of the solution.

If you need a new kitchen, go for quality of design, materials and construction.

Use sustainable materials

In order to achieve truly sustainable solutions, we must choose sustainable, renewable materials when available. Even if your kitchen cabinets end up as waste after many years of use, they will decompose after some time, and their negative impact on the environment will be minimal.

More people are taking an interest in frameless cabinetry. It is very popular in Europe and in New York as well. If you are considering a flat modern door in the frameless cabinet style, check out the website below for some interesting thoughts on sustainability.  Flat doors are typically made with real wood veneer or laminates. Look for products with low or no formaldehyde

https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/design/new-thinking-sustainability-raises-value-laminates

The cabinet box can be made of plywood or particle board. Particle board is made from scraps of lumber, which makes it sustainable. However, many brands use toxic glues.  Do your homework to ensure you are purchasing a product with low or no formaldehyde glues and additives. Our Rutt and Cesar brands of cabinetry fit that bill. Many of the “cheap” cabinets are made with toxic levels of formaldehyde since the glues are cheap. “Cheap” can affect the health of your family.  

Rutt Kitchen Cabinetry - Environmentally sustainable cabinetry

We suggest several solutions.

Wood

The logical option is to use solid wood. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, the advantage of solid wood cabinetry and doors is that it is a natural and renewable material. On the other hand, artificial materials such as plastic have a negative effect on nature and can stay in landfill for a very long time. Wood is also an excellent choice when it comes to longevity and durability. On top of that, if you decide to refurbish your kitchen at any time, wood is easy to process, and you can just paint it and get excellent results. Make sure to use FSC-certified wood. It guarantees that the wood is harvested and processed in an environmentally sustainable way.

Plywood

Another good option for making sustainable kitchen cabinetry is plywood. Plywood is one of the most popular materials thanks to its functional properties such as strength and endurance. It can also withstand moisture. Since it is made of wood, it is considered a renewable and green resource. An additional advantage is that it is slightly cheaper than solid wood. Check that the wood used is FSC certified. Also, check if the glue used in the manufacturing process contains formaldehyde. Increased levels of formaldehyde is considered harmful to nature and can cause headaches and nausea in humans. Look for products with low or no formaldehyde.

Bamboo

One of the most commonly used materials for making kitchen cabinets is bamboo. Bamboo is an excellent sustainable choice as it is a very fast-growing plant. It can grow up to three feet in just one day.

Cesar Italian Cabinetry - Stunning design you will love for decades.

Use VOC-free paints, finishes and coating

In your plan to renovate your kitchen, a fresh coat of paint is usually part of the project. If you want a sustainable solution, the paint must be free of VOCs or volatile organic compounds. They are responsible for the characteristic smell of newly painted surfaces. These substances are hazardous to health and the environment. Paint containing VOCs can cause eye, throat, or lung irritation. In some cases, they can also provoke headaches, dizziness, and, in the long run, even cancer. Therefore, look for paint that either doesn't contain or has low concentrations of VOCs.  Also check if the finishes on your cabinetry brand have low or no VOC.

Get the design right

A sustainable kitchen is a project that needs thorough planning. Try not to rush; pick a design you like because the whole point is to get a long-lasting and eco-friendly kitchen. Hiring a kitchen designer is recommended for most kitchen projects. If you choose your kitchen design without much thought, you might end up not liking it in a couple of years leading you to redo your kitchen again. But that is what you should try to avoid. It will be a waste of materials and harmful to the environment and your bank account.  Choose wisely, and when you make a choice, buy a sustainable kitchen made of durable and long-lasting materials, so all that money you spend is worth it. 

 If you decide to move anywhere in New York, it would be wise to ask for help form a local crew. They will help you move your furniture safely to your new home. It is better than doing it yourself.

Countertops

You can use different materials for the countertop. You can use reclaimed wood or solid wood with FSC certification. If, for any reason, you don't want a wooden top, you can use other materials such as:
Quartz
Sintered Stone (Chemical free!)

Natural Stone (Granite, marble, quartzite, etc..)

Quartz is an engineered stone made predominantly of quartz and some resin (about 7%). It is one of the most popular materials for both kitchens and bathrooms.  Quartz is more resistant to temperature and scratches than most natural stone. Brand matters since some countries produce quartz and do not follow the NSF health standards.

Natural stones such as granite, require less energy to produce than quartz. Granite is 100% natural and chemical free.

Sintered stone is made entirely of natural materials and does not contain resin, so no toxic substances are released into nature during its production. It is an extremely durable and long-lasting material.

Cesar Italian Cabinetry - Modern, frameless, wood veneer.

Sustainable kitchen cabinetry: reuse everything you can

Sustainability warrants reusing materials whenever possible. The constant buying of new products and discarding old ones increases the amount of waste and requires additional production resulting in further consumption of energy and resources. And that precisely is what we want to avoid. So instead of buying new door handles, why not reuse the old ones?  Instead of buying new cabinets, try changing the change countertops to give your kitchen a fresh new look. You will help save resources, energy and a significant amount of money.

Conclusion

We hope we helped to inform you of the importance of having sustainable kitchen cabinetry and products in your home.  Your home environment will be healthier with the right choices of the products you install and use.  Consider investing in it; it will certainly be worth it. You will help the environment (which is much needed) and your bank account as well.

Two of our best custom cabinetry brands below are environmentally conscious.

https://ruttcabinetry.com/about/eco-friendly/

https://www.cesar.it/en/cesar/certifications/

Rutt Kitchen - Glen Head, NY

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Create an Adventure in Your Home

So it is Saturday morning and you are discussing plans with your kids for the evening.  Your kids typically go out with their friends or go over their friend’s house and have dinner and an entertaining evening.  Your wish is to have them home for dinner more often with their friends and stay to watch a movie or play pool. But your kitchen is small, your dining area closed in and you don’t have a “movie room” or pool table.  An idea strikes you that maybe if you remodel and create an inviting dining and entertainment area, your spirit of adventure and change will lead to more Saturdays with your kids than not.

We had this exact family come to us about a year ago. They are a professional couple in Great Neck with 3 teenage children.  With entertainment in mind, we suggested an extension for the dining area and a basement remodel to include a home theater and pool table to encourage a sport. The result was a fantastic newly designed home with family & friends to enjoy it with.

We added the extension and had to match the bricks on the outside per the local town regulation. We made sure the family was set on the design before we applied for permits. We didn’t want any hiccups due to changes which could delay the job unnecessarily.

The kitchen was designed into the extension with a beautiful island and and eat in dining area. We added large windows for maximum natural light. The glass doors provide access to their large yard. Next year they intend to add an outdoor kitchen and bar.

We added a variety of cooking stations so their whole family can particpate in making meals.

 In the end, you will relax and enjoy a design made especially for you…  If you are considering a remodel, visit our Manhasset, NY Showroom. We are minutes off the L.I.E. Lakeville Rd exit. Parking in the back of our building (with two white columns). Our Products & Services

How to choose tiles for your bathroom

Renovating your home is a big project that takes a lot of time, effort, and planning. This is true no matter which room you’re looking to update. When renovating a bathroom, it can take a great deal of time to choose tiles that will fit your style and budget. From choosing the right size, shape, color and pattern to combining different tiles in one room, the options are endless. The key is to take your time. Here are some essential things to consider when choosing the tiles for your bathroom remodel, which will help you narrow down the options.

What are the Options?

The options to consider include: Budget, material, color, style, size, maintenance.  Size also includes thickness for floors and walls. Your preferences and lifestyle will determine what you choose.  You may like subtle colors and patterns, wild or flowery styles.  You may want porcelain, marble, ceramic. mosaics or real stone. You can spend $5 sq ft for porcelain up to $150 sq ft for luxury waterjet marble. You may like to match everything or mix and match. Studying pictures of bathrooms on sites such as Pinterest can help non-designers know what they like when they see it. Buying tiles that are cheap can cost you later. The finish can fade and look worn.

Floor to ceiling large format 4’x8’ porcelain wall tiles,, Glasso floor and marble shower tiles.

Renovating a bathroom after moving in

In an ideal world, it would be amazing to move into a home that is completely renovated including furniture you love. Most of the time, the reality is different. You’ve probably already moved into your new home and are looking to redo your bathroom. Renovations don’t have to be difficult and tiring either. They can be a good opportunity to bring change into your life and rethink your personal style. Your new bathroom is an opportunity to design it to your taste and turn it into a space you feel happy in. By renovating after you’ve moved in, you can get a better sense of what the bathroom really lacks. If you wish to rearrange the fixtures in the bathroom, you should think about it before you change the tiles.

Consider maintenance

Make sure you choose a low-maintenance tile to keep your bathroom clean and beautiful. The one thing many people tend to overlook when renovating their bathroom is maintenance. Some materials hold up better with little maintenance. Porcelain is an excellent choice for floors and walls. Marble is quite beautiful but needs constant maintenance to stay beautiful. Multi-color tiles are easier to keep and look clean than solid colors.  Neutral color grout will be easier to maintain. If you wish to go with a darker-colored tile, you should keep in mind that water stains will be much more noticeable than on lighter tiles and need to be cleaned more often.

Brown porcelain tiles

Choosing the right size tiles

The first thing to decide is the size tile you want to add to your bathroom. It will enable you to narrow down the large list of choices. For smaller bathrooms, you can use small or medium size tiles. The bathroom will look bigger if you decide to add floor-to-ceiling tiles. This eliminates horizontal dividing lines and gives the effect of a heightened space.  In larger bathrooms, tiles of any size will look good. Popular of late are 48” x 48” tiles and 48” x 96” tiles for more modern styles. They add an amazing look (few grout lines) to large master bathrooms.  You can mix and match a couple of different sizes and shapes to add character to the space.

You can choose one size/style/color for the floor, another for the walls and a third for a walk-in shower and shower floor. If you are not sure what goes together, you can consult with a designer and/or look at inspiration pictures on Pinterest. Or you can choose the same tile for the floor and walls. 

Stick to a style that makes you happy

What’s important to consider when choosing tiles is the style. The style goes hand in hand with the color scheme. You can get really creative and go bold with your bathroom floor tiles. A unique tile can turn your ordinary floor into a feature that will tie the whole room together.  If you love the wooden floors in your home, you can even add tiles with a wooden pattern to the bathroom to make the room feel cozier.

When choosing a color for your tiles, you’ll notice there are glossy and matte options available. Adding glossy tiles in lighter tones will make the bathroom feel brighter and bigger. But, if that’s not your style, you can go with matte, moody-colored tiles and combine them with bright décor items. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal taste. You can take inspiration from the current trends in interior design. But, choose a trend that will age well, and that won’t need redoing after a couple of years. Your bathroom tiles should be something timeless, something you won’t get tired of looking at.

Cream Colored Tiles

In conclusion

In order to choose tiles for your bathroom, you should first have a clear vision of what you’d like your bathroom to look like. Bathroom tiles have a big effect on the overall look of the room, so take your time and try to find something that you’re sure will keep you happy for years to come. It’s better to spend more time thinking and designing the perfect room than to be forced to remodel quickly.

When renovating a bathroom in a home you’re living in, it can be a stressful situation. Remodeling can last longer than planned, not to mention that your house can get messy and disorganized during the renovation process. To prevent a mess as much as possible, you can rent a storage unit to get extra space for your items while renovating. Not only are you keeping your home cleaner and more organized during the remodel, but you’re also keeping your items safe, especially if you are doing a whole home renovation.

Unique tiles - Mix and match tiles.

Terrazzo tiles

How to choose flooring material for your kitchen

A beautifully designed kitchen.

Your kitchen floor has a big job to do. Not only does it have to stand up to a lot of foot traffic, but it also has to shrug off spills and stains easily. Aside from having to be practical and durable, your kitchen floor is also a major design statement. The choice you make regarding flooring material for your kitchen affects every other element of your design. When faced with the variety of materials, colors, and textures available today, your choices can seem almost infinite, and the pressure to make the right one can feel awful. After all, if you want your kitchen to look right, the design doesn't stop at choosing the best cabinetry and choosing the right countertop.

What to consider when choosing a flooring material for your kitchen

 Firstly, let's go through a few key things to consider when shopping for kitchen floors. Many things can and should influence your choice.

 Your lifestyle

In your home, you are the star of your own cooking show. For this reason, it's probably a very common occurrence for sauces to get spilled, silverware to be dropped, and spouses, kids, and pets to check in often. The flooring material of your choice needs to be able to stand up to the type of wear and tear that your lifestyle brings. Another thing to keep in mind is to use nonslip floors, especially if you have young children, as a safety precaution.

Cost

If you are planning a remodel, you have probably set a budget for yourself. Obviously the

size of your budget will drive your decision on material and ease/difficulty of installation. Some flooring material needs extensive prep work while others are simple.

If your square footage is small, you may be able to squeeze in a higher quality floor even if your budget is modest. Additional costs may pop up such as underlayment, leveling, delivery charges (which are high), professional installation and removal and disposal of your old floor.

Other budget costs include items you don’t plan for such as your packing and moving fine glassware and china, which cannot be in the kitchen when you are ripping out flooring and cabinetry. Even things like renting a self-storage unit and having someone safely move them to the unit have to be taken into account.

Your need for ease of cleaning

If you use your kitchen often, you are probably familiar with food spills taking over your kitchen floors. To minimize the time you spend on maintenance, choose a material that's easy to clean, water resistant, and not prone to staining. We will review options below.

While they look beautiful, vinyl sheets are also perfect for people who use their kitchen a lot.

 Comfort

 If you have a habit of spending hours on your feet in your kitchen when cooking, you should consider floors with a bit of softness and resilience. For example, tile floors can become uncomfortable after long periods of standing. Wood-based flooring materials have some give, making them better for reducing leg fatigue. Whichever you end up choosing, always remember that a small soft mat or rug can also add some comfort.

Your design style

The suitable flooring material for your kitchen complements your kitchen's design style. If your kitchen holds a rustic and country style, you could go for hardwood or warm-colored tiles. But, if you have more of a mid-century modern design, vinyl flooring or terrazzo is probably the right choice. With contemporary kitchens, almost anything goes, except possibly rustic tiles. Consider the kitchen's size, colors, textures, and patterns when choosing the floor. You should decide whether you want your floor to be a neutral backdrop or serve as a vivid focal point.

 Vinyl flooring

 Vinyl flooring is great because it offers a wide variety of styles and colors that come in tiles or sheets to those on a budget. They are made of manmade plastics and not exactly a “green” product.

 Sheet vinyl flooring is waterproof and stain-proof. It also makes cleaning up spills and splashes an easy chore. It comes in a massive array of colors and styles, from plain sheets to embossed vinyl tiles that do a great job mimicking ceramic tile and stone. Standard sheets are also 12 feet wide, so seams are usually minimal.

Vinyl is considered resilient flooring. This means that it feels slightly soft underfoot. That eases fatigue and makes long hours of cooking easier. Additionally, resilient flooring is forgiving of dropped bowls and glasses. If you're looking for a lower priced option for kitchen flooring that still gives a lot of usefulness, many types of sheet vinyl are pretty inexpensive.

Hardwood is the right flooring material for your kitchen if it features a more rustic design.

Hardwood

This flooring combines three essential features: warmth, beauty, and comfort. It is an excellent choice if you have an open floor plan and want a single type of flooring that extends from your living room to your kitchen. If done well, it also combines durability with low maintenance. Properly finished hardwood flooring can resist moisture from occasional splashes. However, you will have to clean spills immediately. It is recommended to have a professional do the finish for hardwood in the kitchen since it can make the difference between easily stained floors and hard-to-stain ones.

It most commonly comes as either solid wood or engineered wood planks. Engineered wood planks are generally a better choice for kitchens. They are made by putting a top veneer of natural wood onto a layer of plywood. This makes the planks stable and the flooring less susceptible to humidity and temperature.  Solid wood floors are a higher budget item.

Porcelain tile

When it comes to both durability and good looks, porcelain kitchen tile flooring is the go-to. It is an upgraded version of ceramic tile. Primarily because of the difference in the manufacturing process that makes it harder and less porous.

Porcelain tile is bought either glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles are made with a glass-like coating that can be made in any color. Unglazed porcelain tiles have the naturally earthy color of the clays used to make them. You can choose from so many sizes and colors. A popular style is the porcelain floor that looks like wood planks.

The installation process of porcelain tiles is pretty tricky and requires a lot of space. If you are not replacing your cabinetry, you may still have to pack and move your kitchen as if you are moving it to a new home. This means that if you have anything in your kitchen that is taking up space on the floor (like a kitchen island), you'll have to take it down during the remodel. Be careful when dismantling a kitchen, and don't hesitate to reach out to professionals.

Natural Stone - Limestone

Limestone is a natural stone that offers a natural look. It definitely isn't for everyone since the upkeep it requires can be a bit much. It is a very porous material. In other words, unless you want it to stain all the time, you'll have to reseal it every few years.

: Limestone looks great but requires a lot of work.

Limestone comes in a few natural colors. The most popular are grey and cream. Since the texture will make the floor a statement piece, you should be smart with your choice of color. So, if your focus was on opening up a smaller space with light, cool grey, and white cabinets, your limestone tiles should not be brown or cream. The correct flooring material for your kitchen will complement the organizational design of your kitchen.  

Natural Stones – Marble & Granite

The ultimate luxury is natural stone which is probably the most expensive option you can choose. Their one of a kind beauty and patterns are unmatchable. Marble and granite are perfect for a clean look in modern and contemporary kitchens. Marble is a softer stone than granite, which has pluses and minuses.

Marble can stain, scratch and chip and must be sealed on a yearly basis. Acidic liquids must be cleaned immediately. Hard water can etch marble and needs to be wiped up right away.

Linoleum

Linoleum is made from renewable, biodegradable cork powder and linseed oil, making it a very environmentally friendly flooring material for your kitchen. It also doesn't have any harmful VOCs. It's a resilient flooring that comes in many patterns and colors, just like vinyl. While it is moisture-resistant, it is also a bit susceptible to staining. You should do your best to ensure that the product you buy has a good quality protective coating that will guard it against scratches and spills.

CALL OR VISIT US TO DISCUSS YOUR NEW KITCHEN INCLUDING FLOORING.

PHONE: 516-365-0595 OR VISIT OUR SHOWROOM AT: 983 NORTHERN BLVD, MANHASSET, NY, 11030

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 https://unsplash.com/photos/-aDGbdTsBZg – featured image

 https://unsplash.com/photos/_IAZoJ6X-1A – picture 1

 https://unsplash.com/photos/YABErdnJPGc – picture 2

 https://unsplash.com/photos/4jxGry4pXtc – picture 3

What is the difference between Framed vs. Frameless Cabinetry?

Perfectly named, framed cabinets are cabinets with a face frame that covers the front of the cabinet box. Framed cabinetry is used for traditional, transitional and inset cabinetry. There are three main styles. You can choose a full overlay style that covers most of the face frame with a small reveal around the doors. Partial overlay shows more of the frame and is usually a less expensive option. A popular framed style is called inset. This is when the cabinet doors are recessed within the cabinet frame fully exposing the face frame . There are beaded and non-beaded inset options. Framed cabinetry advantages include a very sturdy box and ease of installation. If you like crown molding, it can be placed right onto the frame. There is however, less storage space (including the drawers) due to the frame. Most framed cabinets have a center stile which limits access as well. Some brands (like Rutt), you can eliminate the center stile up to a certain height cabinet. Framed Cabinet Styles

Frameless cabinets (also called full access) do not have a face frame nor center stiles. Modern Cabinetry is frameless. Most European cabinetry is frameless. Since there is no frame, there is more storage space (especially in the drawers) and easier access into each cabinet. The box is usually thicker to create more stability. Only full overlay doors are used. The hinges are attached to the side of the box. Frameless cabinets are typically designed with flat, slab doors to create a sleek minimalist look. Many brands build the box with particle board instead of plywood. Things to consider:

1. Storing heavy items on shelves and bottoms can cause sagging on wide cabinets

2. If your walls are not straight, installation will be more difficult

3. Edge banding can peel over time

4. Frameless Designs

Before you or your client make a decision, the first consideration is what style you love. Definitely go in person to a showroom to view them side by side. If you have specialty items such as large plates or big pots, bring them. See how they fit and how you want to store and access them optimally.

What’s New With Outdoor Kitchens

Guest Post

The covid pandemic taught us many important lessons, not just health-related. It forced many to rethink how to organize their home inside and outside. After all, being stuck inside made us all appreciate spending time outdoors that much more. However, improved outdoor living space isn't simply a reason to extend your living quarters, even though it creates additional functional and aesthetically pleasing areas. It's also a great way to invest in your home's resale value. So, if you are thinking about upgrading or adding an outdoor kitchen, you have another reason to start the process now. Plus, we've done thorough research and found out what's new with outdoor kitchens. Hopefully, one of the kitchen trends we've selected for this article will inspire you to reach out to NY's finest remodeling center and start working on moving the heart of your home from inside to outside.

Photo of a new outdoor kitchen during the sunset

First- find your inspiration

The first step in creating an outdoor kitchen is determining what inspires you. Does the look you're going for feel more like an intimate, private garden? Or do you like a more contemporary and fashionable outdoor area? There are several cabinetry and appliance styles to choose from.

For inspiration, look at the three most popular outdoor kitchen designs.

• Modern design never goes out of style! BBQ and other outdoor appliance trends incorporate beautifully into a modern outdoor kitchen and patio. Both indoor and outdoor, modern kitchen designs are timeless. Modern patios incorporate marble surfaces, stainless steel equipment, and wood accents to create a clean and tranquil place for entertaining and relaxing. If you add cabinetry, there are many brands of outdoor grade cabinets in stainless steel and marine grade materials. Modern doors and many colors to choose from.

• The rough and unfinished feel of industrial design is achieved without creating the impression of a completed project. Stainless steel appliances, rich color schemes, brick accents, and wood and steel features are staples of an industrial outdoor kitchen design. It's a laid-back, no-frills patio design that's yet eye-catching and beautiful. Take a look at cement colored sintered stone pavers.

• The farmhouse-style outdoor kitchen is still very popular. You'll create a timeless piece of art by decorating your outdoor living space in the style of rural farm structures. Rustic elements like reclaimed wood, stone, and wicker are common in country-centric designs, as are bright white accents. The pro-BBQ style fits perfectly! Masonry can be your focal point of design. There are many beautiful natural and engineered stones to consider.

Outdoor kitchens - trends that will inspire you

There were times in the past when outdoor kitchens were simple and very dull. In addition to the unstable side table full of meats, condiments, and grilling implements, they provided little more than a rudimentary grill. Heck, this might even describe your current outdoor kitchen "design."

But as times change, so does everything else. The outdoor living experience has become much more luxurious and upscale in recent years. The following outdoor kitchen trends will perfectly illustrate what we're talking about. More importantly, they will hopefully inspire you to design your perfect outdoor kitchen.

With a neutral color palette and clean lines, modern outdoor kitchens exude a sense of refinement.

High-quality appliances

A high-end outdoor kitchen requires professional-grade cooking appliances. And what is more important to an outdoor kitchen than a premium grill? Integrating a built-in grill into the outdoor kitchen design is one of the expanding trends in outdoor kitchens. You can save space, make the workstation more effective, and make it appear classy and professional. If you want to get fancy, you can add a pizza/wood burning oven, outdoor fridge, a sink, smoker, wine cooler and/or ice maker. An outdoor bar can be incorporated into the kitchen. OUTDOOR APPLIANCES

If possible, we recommend moving large kitchen appliances and storing them safely during colder months. After all, you want to use your state-of-the-art grill for many years to come. Consider renting storage if you don't have enough room in your home. Most importantly, make sure to hire professionals to transport it and handle it with care. When the winter is over, you can get your items out of storage and start organizing outdoor barbecues again.

High-end features for outdoor kitchens

If you want your outdoor kitchen to stand out, a good idea is to add features that will turn it from an outdoor kitchen into a full outdoor living space. For instance, you might enjoy sitting next to an open fire, so a high-quality outdoor fireplace or fire pit could be a perfect choice for you. A landscape lighting system is a must if you plan on having late dinner parties. Installing a music system is always a good idea, but if you want to go a step further, you can even consider adding an outdoor cinema.

A lot of storage space

Without cabinetry, it is hard to consider it a kitchen. When it comes to your outdoor kitchen, it's essential to invest in quality kitchen cabinetry that is strong enough to withstand the elements while being visually appealing. On top of that, you need to make sure you have enough available storage space. 

In most luxury outdoor kitchens, stainless steel is the material of choice for built-in cabinet systems. If you choose to order custom cabinetry, the clean appearance of stainless-steel cabinets will be tailored to suit your taste. Your barbecue and other outdoor appliances will look amazing!  There are many brands of marine grade “High Density Polyethylene” (HDPE), which is considered the most durable outdoor cabinetry. There are different door styles and colors to choose from. Consider adding an outdoor kitchen island with built-in storage, and you will give your space an even more luxurious and high-end feel.

Stunning prep area

Most well-designed outdoor living areas nowadays have a designated full-service prep area. After all, everything is more efficient when it's laid out logically. You'll need ample counter space and enough storage to access everything you need quickly. Nothing can ruin your summer barbecue like wasting time going back and forth to get everything you need. Sintered stone is the perfect material for counter-tops. It is extremely durable and UV resistant. Perfect for outdoors! Look at brands: Natura, Neolith, Dekton.

If you outfit your outdoor kitchen with all conveniences your indoor kitchen has, you will make outdoor cooking that much easier and more fun. Your guests can help you cook or keep you company while you prepare a delicious meal with everything you need at your reach. You can achieve this by adding a kitchen sink, built-in side burners, a warming drawer, enough refrigeration, an ice-making machine, a coffee maker, and your favorite appliance! 

Charming decor

It would be best if you gave as much attention to the design and décor of your outdoor living space as you do to the design and décor of your inside living space. One of the most popular trends in outdoor kitchen design is the idea of "style continuity" throughout the home, where there is a natural decorative flow from room to room. Therefore, it's becoming more common for outdoor kitchens to be decorated in a style that matches the internal kitchen or the room next door.

A high-quality grill is a must for any outdoor kitchen.

The bottom line

Now that you know what's new with outdoor kitchens, you'll hopefully feel inspired to reach out to design and remodel pros and start working on turning your dream outdoor living space into reality. Not only will you get an amazing space to spend time with friends, family, or a good book, but you'll also boost the value of your home. There is no reason why you shouldn't get started asap!

CALL ELITE KITCHEN & BATH/EXPRESS CONTRACTING TODAY TO BEGIN THE DESIGN OF YOUR NEW OUTDOOR KITCHEN!

516-365-0595

Photos used:

https://unsplash.com/photos/-OKp-rhSWE4

https://unsplash.com/photos/Tk1pmgowG0w

https://unsplash.com/photos/D99y38Na5Xo

https://unsplash.com/photos/csK5XPO87lI

Make sure to invest in proper lighting for your outdoor living space

What is the difference between Quartz and Sintered Stone?

Simply explained differences between the two popular stones

Cambria Quartz

Quartz

We all have heard of quartz - the engineered stone used for countertops, back-splashes, floors, walls, etc.. The make-up of the quartz depends on the brand. For instance, Cambria's quartz products are made of about 93% white quartz plus resin and pigment. The quartz is crushed, melted, formed and then baked and polished. Quartz is a very hard stone. The lower grade quartz material has a higher resin content and is low luster. Quartz is stain resistant but not heat resistant. Hot pans can damage quartz like almost all stone. Quartz counters are safe for food preparation. Quartz can stain, chip, burn and yellow from UV rays. Quartz does not have to be sealed and it is easy to clean. There are many patterns to choose from.

Popular brands include Cambria, Caesarstone and Compac. Stone partners

Cambria Quartz

Sintered Stone

Dekton Sintered Stone

Sintered stone is a popular material for indoor/outdoor counters, walls, floors and backsplashes. Sintered Stone is made entirely from natural materials which are formed into strong and durable slabs. No resins nor polymers are used so it is a much cleaner product.

The process is called sintering. Sintering mimics the metamorphic process which takes thousands of years. Sintered stone is extremely resistant to etching, stains, scratches and does not burn. Since it is UV resistant, it can be used outdoors without fading. You can put a hot pot on sintered stone without burning the stone. It is one of the most resilient choices for residential and commercial projects. On the downside, it is more expensive than quartz and the pattern does not run through in the event it is chipped. Sintered stone does not need to be sealed and is easy to clean.

Popular brands include Dekton, Natura, and Lapitec.

Lapitec Sintered Stone

Lapitec Sintered Stone