design - Todays Designer Kitchens

June 19, 2023June 19, 2023

Is European Kitchen Design Right for Your Home?

European kitchen design is on trend and features beautiful minimalism, but is it the right choice for your home?

Less is more in a European kitchen. They are designed to be sleek in design. Homes in Europe are smaller and so are kitchens, therefore the focus is on functionality and efficiency. Kitchen cabinets are no exception. In order to maximize space, European kitchen cabinets are often simple. They feature flat surfaces, flush doors, little to no hardware and do not have many decorations or “frills”.

European kitchens have frame-less construction – or full overlay. This means, cabinets are constructed without a face frame attached to the front of the cabinet box. All that is visible are flat door and drawer fronts. This frame-less construction offers a seamless look while maximizing space as there is no divider in between the cabinets. Because of this frame-less construction, hinges and hardware are often hidden – adding to the seamless, streamlined aesthetic.

Cabinetry

North American cabinets tend to be larger and more ornate, with a focus on aesthetics and style.

Todays Designer Kitchens euroline-basix-shaker-1024x576 Is European Kitchen Design Right for Your Home?

European cabinets are usually crafted from premium materials like solid wood or MDF. * They are intended to be highly practical. They have little decorative features, with a focus on practicality and functionality. European cabinets are designed to maximize space and provide ample storage without taking up too much room.

*Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming it into panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is generally denser than plywood. It is made up of separated fibres but can be used as a building material similar in application to plywood.

Todays Designer Kitchens Euroline-basix-slab-1024x576 Is European Kitchen Design Right for Your Home?

Materials Used

Materials used for European cabinets are tough, sturdy, and can endure regular use without getting damaged easily. Many European cabinets are also designed to be eco-friendly, focusing on using sustainable materials and minimizing waste.

Functionality

One of the key features of European cabinets is their functionality. These items are created to make the most of available space and offer sufficient storage without occupying too much area. Many European cabinets are also designed to be highly customizable, with various storage options and configurations available.

Conclusion

To choose your home cabinets, it’s important to know the distinction between European and American cabinets. European cabinets are typically more functional and practical, while American cabinets are often more ornate and decorative. In the end, deciding between these two styles is based on what you personally prefer and what your home requires. By exploring the differences between these two styles, you can create a kitchen space that truly reflects your style and taste.

Our team of kitchen installation experts at Today’s Designer Kitchens are experienced in managing kitchen projects of all scopes and design tastes. If you are interested in making the first step in a kitchen renovation, we welcome you to fill out a form online or give us a call to set up your no obligation home consultation and quote within the Niagara region.

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ABOUT US

Todays Designer Kitchens image Is European Kitchen Design Right for Your Home?

The team of professionals at Today’s Designer Kitchens are dedicated to bringing high quality full service kitchen renovations that are affordable beautiful and functional.

We undertake work in all scopes and budget ranges and provide a full service kitchen solution from floor to ceiling.

Visit Our Showroom M-F 10 am-4 pm.

Address: 239 Carlton St Suite #1, St. Catharines, ON L2R 1S1

Phone: 905-641-2284

September 30, 2022October 4, 2022

Kitchen Design – Four Things to Avoid

Kitchen design is an important first step before renovating and it takes a lot of careful planning, so, here are four things to avoid in that process to ensure a great outcome.

STORAGE

Storage is priority in a kitchen and ensures that it is functional and organized.

When designing a kitchen, it is crucial to not skimp on storage and utilize as much space as your home will allow. A kitchen lacking storage will become tricky to manage and you don’t want to worry about finding a spot for your most-used kitchen items. Especially in smaller kitchens, making use of all space is going to be incredibly important to ensure all of your items are easily stored.

Todays Designer Kitchens pantry-g59a357789_640 Kitchen Design - Four Things to Avoid

WORK TRIANGLES

There are established ways to set up a kitchen called work triangles within a kitchen layout (see our post HERE). Work triangles give an easy flow to all the things you need in this space. Consider appliance placement, and how this flow will affect your basic kitchen functions. Your sink, stove, and refrigerator appliances should be free of obstruction and placed in such a way that allows free movement from each. Placing the three properly forms the kitchen triangle, which should never be dismissed.

Todays Designer Kitchens BW-new-1024x576 Kitchen Design - Four Things to Avoid

COUNTERS

Even if you think you don’t need that much counter space, remember how quickly our counters can become cluttered with other everyday items such as coffee makers, toasters, and other smaller appliances. How much prep space does that leave you for actually preparing your meals? Not taking this into consideration can leave you feeling cluttered and disorganized. If possible, try to allow for as much counter space as possible in the design of your kitchen. If an island is not an option, consider an additional corner of cabinets and counters to allow for more storage.

EXPERT ADVICE

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Yes, you may think you know exactly what you want for your kitchen, but, there are many details that can be quickly overlooked when not working with an experienced designer/installer that can cost you both time AND money.

At Today’s Designer Kitchens, we not only offer FREE home consultations before your kitchen renovation, but one of our experts will also make suggestions to ensure a great outcome.

No matter the size or budget of your kitchen, we are here to take it on and ensure that no detail is overlooked. We have remodeled hundreds of kitchens and our expertise will help you get what you want and need. From measurement to great communication our team ensures that your kitchen project will be amazing with our streamlined design, supply and install process.

We are booking now for fall, so please reach out and schedule your home consultation today.

Get Free Estimate

Todays Designer Kitchens Todays-Designer-Kitchens-1.1-pncyjpjsim7we8fxhed51bbdc6cr22xivn6oavtb54 Kitchen Design - Four Things to Avoid — *The team of professionals at Today’s Designer Kitchens are dedicated to bringing high quality full service kitchen renovations that are affordable beautiful and functional.*

*We undertake work in all scopes and budget ranges and provide a full service kitchen solution from floor to ceiling.*

Visit Our Showroom M-F 10 am-5 pm.

Address: 239 Carlton St Suite #1, St. Catharines, ON L2R 1S1

Phone: 905-641-2284

July 11, 2022July 12, 2022

Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today

Here are the top five must have items that we include in kitchens that we build today.

A kitchen is a space that has a great deal of unique features for every household but there are some items that always seem to make the list. Here they are:

Kitchen Islands

Where islands in a kitchen were once limited to large open concept kitchens, there are now many choices in styles and sizes.

Kitchens have become entertainment hubs as well as cooking centres which also make them ideal for installing in a kitchen renovation.

Todays Designer Kitchens sswnew Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today — A simple and cozy island addition by Today’s Kitchens in a contrasting Java colour.

Pantries

Functional kitchens are what people love and pantries keep everything organized and streamlined.

Walk in pantries are a very popular ask these days and make cooking a breeze while keeping the clutter out of the main kitchen space.

Todays Designer Kitchens pantry-g59a357789_640 Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today

White Cabinets

There is something timeless and desirable when it comes to white kitchens!

Our company carries many colours and styles and yet year after year it is the white kitchens that are always the most popular.

White keeps a kitchen light and bright and the good thing about the colour is that there are many shades of white to choose from as well as door styles, so it still is not a one size fits all.

White also pairs perfectly with almost every home’s décor as well as contrasting well with other cabinet colours for a mix and match look.

Todays Designer Kitchens bw Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today — Bermuda White Cabinets by Today’s Designer Kitchens

Double Door Fridge Freezers

An American style fridge freezer is different to most tall fridge freezers as they feature double doors that open from the middle outwards, rather than a single door. This is why they’re sometimes referred to as ‘side by side American fridge freezers’ or a ‘double door fridge freezer’. Whatever you call them, we call them the most popular and practical fridge style today in kitchens!

Todays Designer Kitchens kitchen-gf1dc1516a_640 Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today

A Coffee Maker Station

Creating not only an area where your coffee maker will sit, but an actual station is a great idea that we add on to many renovation projects for coffee lovers.

Todays Designer Kitchens coffee-gf20e0096a_640 Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today

Having everything in one area makes mornings hassle free and planning for a good amount of uncluttered counterspace in the area is a wonderful addition as well.

Wrap

Thinking of a kitchen renovation and looking for some professional guidance? We specialize in just that. Please contact us for a free home estimate today!

Todays Designer Kitchens Todays-Designer-Kitchens-1.1-pncyjpjsim7we8fxhed51bbdc6cr22xivn6oavtb54 Top Five Must Haves in Kitchens Today

About Today’s Designer Kitchens

Today’s Designer Kitchens is a family owned company located in St. Catharines, ON that can expertly and affordably bring your home remodeling dreams to reality.

We service the entire Niagara Region and specialize in the renovation, home improvements and kitchen and bath industries, providing top quality products and services at competitive prices.

We are committed to ensuring complete customer satisfaction with the service and quality we offer with a streamlined process and fast turnarounds times.

We provide free home estimates and undertake work in all scopes and budget ranges.

OUR OFFICES AND SHOWROOM

Our showroom is open Monday Through Friday 9 am-5 pm and can be visited currently by appointment only.

We can be reached by phone: 905-641-2284.

Get a Free Estimate!

March 8, 2022March 8, 2022

Kitchen Design Trends for 2022

We love watching kitchen design trends for 2022 and incorporating them into the renovation projects we do and here are some of our favourites!

Keep it Natural

The overall aesthetic of using natural elements has a lot of appeal. Natural elements such as wood-toned cabinetry, mixed metal hardware, and marble countertops pair together to bring this trend to life. With more and more people working from home permanently, it’s no surprise the choice of a design that will deliver a calm atmosphere is the go-to trend.

Below, this gorgeous Java kitchen is rich on style and oozes natural wood tones.

Todays Designer Kitchens Java-full-kitchen-image-scaled Kitchen Design Trends for 2022 — Java Kitchen

Colour

White and black kitchens have dominated the market for many years and still have their place, however, colour has emerged as a new favorites. We are seeing bold bright shades and even deep, dark moody kitchens.

Shades of blue is a perfect example as seen below in the Midnight Blue cabinet collection.

Sleek And Modern

Hidden pantries, integrated appliances, and sleek, clean countertops. The modern kitchen has been around for some time now but is leaning more towards the seamless and clean look for the new year. Accessorizing with clean hardware like this bronze single lever tap accentuates the clean style that many of our clients want in their kitchens!

Vintage and Retro Vibes

Many of the kitchens we do can have a dramatic transformation by the accessories chosen during the finishing touches of the renovation.

For example, handles and lighting are fantastic ways to add a vintage or retro look to your space and yet easily changed out if you get tired of them down the road. 🙂

Below the classic Globe Lighting adds amazing ambience to this kitchen island.

Below, these interesting gold tone handles put the wow factor in any cabinetry style.

At Today’s Designer Kitchens, whether you are looking for a traditional style or an up-and-coming style, our team is at the cutting edge of the trends, the classics and giving you great advice.

We are here to help you choose the design that will work best in your space, and help make your kitchen renovation dreams a reality.

Please contact us for a FREE in home consultation today by filling out the form below OR call us M-F at: 905-641-2284

October 16, 2021October 16, 2021

Is A Grey Kitchen Right for You?

The popular trend for grey cabinets began in 2018 and contiunes today, so we will explore the colour to see if it’s right for you.

Get Away from Traditional

These days, a growing number of homeowners are shifting from traditional white or brown cabinetry into choosing grey color schemes in their kitchen because it is unique, neutral and adds a timeless sophistication to any home. If you are feeling like something new in the kitchen, grey may be just the thing you’re looking for.

Todays Designer Kitchens fog3 Is A Grey Kitchen Right for You? — Fog Grey

Relaxing

Grey coloured kitchens form the backdrop for creating a sense of calm and tranquility in an otherwise busy space. The colour grey has an elegant and formal appeal which conforms well to any design scheme and because of its neutrality is easy to combine with other accents like paint colour, hardware, etc.

How to Pair Grey Cabinets with Accents

Todays Designer Kitchens SCG-modern-kitchen-view-2-1-1024x525 Is A Grey Kitchen Right for You? — Step Shaker Charcoal Grey

Understanding how to properly mix and match your kitchen cabinetry with other elements is important for a good design outcome. Here are some ideas:

o Incorporate natural materials such as granite or marble countertops, wood or stone flooring or add simple touches of potted plants and flowers. The beauty of nature is a perfect way to infuse life, and natural accent into your grey kitchen.

o Combine your grey kitchen cabinets with a unique backsplash to spice things up. A backsplash such as the subway tiles, modern chevron, or a dot-patterned tile will create a fabulous sleek and modern design concept.

o Enhance your kitchen with rich textures of curtains and window treatments; this can soften and give a welcoming feeling into your grey kitchen.

o To add some subtle excitement, break up the upper and lower kitchen cabinetry by combining your grey cabinets with another neutral color such as white for the upper cabinets. By doing so, it will give your kitchen a high-end look and a feeling of luxury.

Todays Designer Kitchens cropped-cropped-SSW-and-FG-kitchen-1-scaled-1-1-1024x614 Is A Grey Kitchen Right for You? — Step Shaker White

Lots of Flexibility with Hardware Colours

Todays Designer Kitchens london-fog Is A Grey Kitchen Right for You? — London Fog

Silver is usually the most common and traditional hardware used with grey kitchen cabinetry, this works especially well with cooler grey tones kitchen cabinets.

Another stylish touch for grey kitchen cabinets is to add leather handles which can make even the off-the-shelf units look high-end.

Blue-grey kitchen cabinets looks elegant especially paired with metallic tone hardware like nickel or silver.

Dark grey kitchen cabinets are simply stunning when paired with a black finish handles and drawer pulls.

Practicality

One of the reasons why you would want to use grey cabinets is because the colour does not show dirt as white does. White cabinets have dominated the home design landscape for quite some time; however, grey cabinets tend to be a bit more forgiving.

Wrap Up

Grey is a fantastic and practical choice for a modern beautiful kitchen that blends well with almost any accents and is very forgiving to wear and tear.

Need advice in your kitchen renovation? Today’s Designer Kitchens offer free expert estimates and full service renovations in the Niagara area. Please contact us and we would be pleased to assist with your project.

Get a Free Estimate

Today’s Designer Kitchens is a family owned company located in St. Catharines, ON that can expertly and affordably bring your home remodeling dreams to reality. We service the entire Niagara Region.

We specialize in the renovation, home improvements and kitchen and bath industries, providing top quality products and services at competitive prices.

We are committed to ensuring complete customer satisfaction with the service and quality we offer with a streamlined process and fast turnarounds times.

We provide free home estimates and undertake work in all scopes and budget ranges.

Phone
905-641-2284
Address
239 Carlton Street
St. Catharines, ON L2R 1S1
www.todaysdesignerkitchens.ca

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021

Wall Removals and Kitchen Design

Have you ever thought about removing a wall in your kitchen so that you could maximize its functionality and design?

You are not alone and that is why we are going to discuss one of the most popular aspects of a renovation that comes our way in kitchen projects and that is the removal of walls.

It may sound like a big deal, but it really is not when you consider all the benefits that a wall removal could bring to your every day life.

During a kitchen remodel, one of the most important areas you will think about is the floor plan. It influences everything from construction costs to how you spend time with your family. To build a larger kitchen design, where you have room to move and the family has room to move about the space freely, consider removing a wall between the kitchen and an adjoining living room or dining room.

This creates an open floor plan, which allows you keep everyone together, while giving yourself some extra space. Open floor plans produce a modern vibe, where each room flows into the next.

An open floor plan will:

MAKE YOUR SPACE LOOK AND FEEL LARGER.
While open floor plans work in any size home, it is particularly good for smaller houses, as removing a wall or two opens up the space. No matter the size of your home, removing a wall will give your space a more open, airy feel.

ALLOW YOU TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE KIDS.
In your new kitchen design, you can cook dinner and perform other household chores, while the kids are in the same room.

INCREASE NATURAL SUNLIGHT.
With fewer walls, the sun can now permeate through the house.

Todays Designer Kitchens fog_grey_view_2-1024x638 Wall Removals and Kitchen Design

MAKE YOU A BETTER ENTERTAINER!
Now, you can easily converse with your guests without tripping over them and without feeling like you’re missing interesting conversations.

INCREASE THE RESALE VALUE OF YOUR HOME.
Adding an open floor plan as part of a kitchen remodel is increasingly popular and can boost your home’s value when it’s time for you to sell.

Before you get going on your kitchen renovation, here are a few things you need to know before you remove a wall:

CONFIRM THE WALL ISN’T LOAD BEARING.
Walls always separate spaces, but sometimes they bear weight from above and are vital your house’s structural integrity. Load bearing walls can be removed, but a beam must be installed to support the load, which will add to your kitchen remodeling costs and construction time.

CERTAIN WALLS MAY BE THERE FOR A REASON.
Walls were created for other reasons than to bear loads. Before you take down all the walls, think about how sound and smell will travel in an open floor plan, and consider your energy and privacy needs.

SOMETIMES, WALLS HIDE THINGS.
All of your utilities run through the wall – electrical, plumbing, cable, and telephone. If the wall you’re looking to remove contains utilities, they will have to be contained somewhere else.

While constructing open floor plans comes with some obstacles, it is worth it to the overall value of your home and comfort level.

If you are planning a kitchen renovation of any kind, our expert team would be happy to provide you a free consultation. We design, supply and install for less with a quick turnaround.

Please call us: 905-641-2284 OR fill out the contact form for a quick response.

Contact Today’s Designer Kitchens

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020

Granite Counters – Top Trends Now

Granite is a gorgeous choice for a countertop in a kitchen and there are several trending types that seem to resonate with many homeowners.

Granite is special in that its naturally occurring variations make each slab a unique piece of art, plus it is very practical in that it is easy to clean and requires little maintenance.

Here are some of the most popular granite colours on the market now.

Kashmir White

This warm white stone has just a bit of texturing and a salt and pepper pattern, making it easily matchable with dark or light cabinets.

It also is great for adding brightness to the room and minimizes the appearances of messes on the countertops.

Steel Grey

Todays Designer Kitchens steelgry-300x212 Granite Counters - Top Trends Now

A cooler toned granite, light grey highlights the other shades of darker grays, creating a beautiful, neutral canvas.

White Primata

Todays Designer Kitchens primata-300x206 Granite Counters - Top Trends Now

A classic granite choice with a simple, yet elegant pattern. The black and gray crystals create a beautiful contrast against its white base making it a colour palette that works with pretty much all kitchen design styles.

Black Pearl

With its gold, silver, brown, gray and even blueish mineral deposits this countertop is a lot more than just your basic black.

Black Pearl is a great countertop choice for anyone seeking to incorporate luxurious contrast in their kitchen design.

Desert Brown

Todays Designer Kitchens desrtb-300x207 Granite Counters - Top Trends Now

Perfect for warmer palettes and with darker kitchen cabinets.

This neutral counter colour has specs of brown with burgundy accents and has a rich feel to it.

Things to Think About

As you search for countertop surface materials for your kitchen project, keep in mind that any granite used for countertops occurs naturally and each one will look a little different.

TIP: The best way to view and select granite countertop samples is in the lighting of your own home to see what works for you!

ALSO: Remember that granite is just one of many types of great countertops that are available on the market today.

Need a bit of help with your kitchen plans?

The team at Today’s Designer Kitchens in St. Catharines welcomes you to contact us at: (905) 641-2284 or fill out the form below for a prompt response on all your kitchen project needs!

January 14, 2020January 14, 2020

How to Design a Social Kitchen

The kitchen transforms into whatever you need it to be. It’s got many practical uses, but with a few design hints it can also become a great social space.

If you have a kitchen with a layout that doesn’t easily permit groups and activity, consider these design ideas to transform it into a more social space.

Kitchen Islands and Carts

A stationary island or a rolling cart can instantly create a more social kitchen and gathering spot for all your friends and family. They come in a wide variety of sizes, price points and styles and can add more storage and counter space as well.

Open Plan Ideas

The open floor plan is the ultimate in creating a social environment making it easy for traffic to flow in and out of every area.

But, if you’re not into having all that open space, or want more distinction between rooms you could incorporate half-walls with shelves into the design or consider a glass cabinet or wall which gives the impression of open space but still allows for division of space.

Durable Materials

A social kitchen means you’re getting a lot of use out of the space. To be sure you can entertain for years to come, you’ll want to select materials that are durable with crowd proof features like hard wearing Quartz counters, soft close hinges and even stainless steel appliances.

Seating Options

Sit-down furniture, such as chairs, stools and benches can create social zones.

For example, banquette seating in the kitchen makes a convenient spot for everyone that prompts discussions and conversations, or a breakfast nook adds a welcoming spot for smaller groups.

Thinking about how you could make your kitchen more entertainment-friendly? For additional social kitchen design ideas, schedule a FREE appointment with a Today’s Designer Kitchens expert today.

Ready to find out more?

Please contact us at 905-641-2284 or fill out the contact form for a FREE IN HOME CONSULTATION.

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About Today’s Designer Kitchens

Today’s Designer Kitchen is a full service kitchen design company located in St. Catharines, ON that offers high quality kitchen renovations at affordable prices.

Utilizing the vast resources of professional relationships we have acquired over the years with suppliers and professional renovators and plumbing and electric service professionals and then adding to that a team of in house designers, Today’s Designer Kitchens has a mission to give clients the best renovation experience at the most competitive price in the market.

We undertake work in all scopes and budget ranges.