by bj jha | Jul 18, 2022 | Uncategorized
Here at National Kitchen and Bath Cabinetry, a modern kitchen doesn’t have to be super pricey. We take great pride in giving Austin home-owners luxury but at an affordable price. Today’s post provides our top tips for designing a modern kitchen that you can be proud of.
Dinner party, anyone?
Source: Pexels.com
Tip 1: Practicality Comes First
We’re going to outline some key ways to modernize your kitchen. However, it’s important that your kitchen is functional and practical, too. Consider storage carefully, as well as having enough countertops to move and cook in freely. Don’t forget your appliances, too, like your refrigerator, dish washer, and oven.
Tip 2: Hide Your Garbage Bins
Nothing ruins an aesthetic quite like trash.
As such, try to store your garbage bin somewhere that isn’t easily spotted. That said, ensure your garbage bin is placed somewhere that is easy to access. It’s an item that is frequently used, after all. Perhaps installing a deep sliding bin into your countertops may be a possibility, which ensures it’s not a focal point in the room but it’s easy to get to.
Tip 3: Install an Island
A kitchen island screams opulence. And it’s a relatively straightforward installation. You’ll want to ensure that your kitchen island matches your cabinets in color and style, opting for a clean color rather than pastels or bright shades. Solid wood cabinet designs that are painted silver, black, white, or gray will work well.
But a kitchen island is more than just adding a luxurious touch to your kitchen. When chosen with care, a kitchen island provides more cooking space, additional storage and space for kitchen cabinets, and even acts as a supporting dining area, (think: modern breakfast bar).
Tip 4: Modern Kitchen Flooring
While flooring can be overlooked, it is a component of your kitchen that really adds to the overall atmosphere in your kitchen. In fact, your kitchen floor likely has the largest surface area in your entire property, so how you decorate that will massively impact the aesthetic.
If “modern” is what you’re going for, you’ll want to focus on the simplicity of the flooring. Don’t select something with too much going on. Additionally, consider the sheen. Choose either something shiny or matte, but don’t try to compromise and sit in the middle. That will cause a washed out look, and it won’t make that “modern-esque” statement you’re aiming for.
Tip 5: It’s All About Your Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinets play a large role in the overall look and functionality of your room. They can make or break the overall “vibe” of your room. A solid wood cabinet allows better personalization, as you can adjust the colors.
“Your kitchen cabinets play a large role in the overall look of your room”
Furthermore, for modern kitchen cabinets, you should opt for either straight or shaker doors that have minimal detail. Too much patterning will cause a clash, and can look dated quickly. As a rule, a modern aesthetic relies on simplicity.
Therefore, Simplistic handles and kitchen cabinets will feed into the modern look you’re aiming for, which is emphasized by using monochrome colors, (white, black, and/or gray). There are cases where colors like navy and gold can be manipulated and shaped into a modern kitchen, so if you’re a firm lover of color, make sure you do your research.
Consider functionality, too. Having plenty of storage space inside your kitchen cabinets is crucial, and plan out, before making any final decisions, the purpose of each cabinet.
Don’t forget to look into a built-in cabinet that hides your trash and recycling bins.
Tip 6: Lighting Is Key
A unique lighting arrangement can add some pizzazz to your modern kitchen. Whether you aim for LED lights above your kitchen counters, (which can be dimmed, creating a warmer ambiance), or a more contemporary suspended, hanging light, lighting is the finishing touch you need to bring everything together.
If you prefer the look of lights that dangle above your head, make sure they’re placed with care. You don’t want to keep bumping into your lights while you’re cooking.
You should also carefully consider the bulbs you opt for. The power of the light bulb as well as the overall tone will add to your kitchen. Warm, yellow hues, perhaps, aren’t as ‘modern’ as colder, more blue hues.
Your Modern Kitchen Is Waiting For You
The 6 tips we’ve given you to installing a modern kitchen in your property gives you the know-how. But here at National Kitchen and Bath Cabinetry, we want to give you more than just the knowledge. Get yourself some Solid Wood White RTA Cabinetry for that ultra modern finish. Or, check out our gray collection, (specifically our lava and pearl gray sets). With your cabinets dominating your kitchen space, make sure they’re functional and fabulous, and take a look at National Kitchen and Bath Cabinetry’s site today.
by bj jha | Jun 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
Kitchen cabinets are one of the most crucial elements to consider when planning a new or remodeled kitchen. Homeowners and their families look at this storage each and every day. The top location for custom cabinetry Austin has to offer is weighing in to help builders and homeowners avoid these common pitfalls.
“The last thing you want is to skimp on quality in the kitchen. RTA wood cabinets offer reasonable pricing and custom design without compromising on quality.”
Source: Pexels.com
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
There are a number of potentially disastrous hiccups that can occur when the wrong cabinets show up in the kitchen. These roadblocks can lead to costly mistakes and frustrating delays.
#1 Selecting Cheap and Poor Quality Cabinets
Top-quality cabinetry is a requirement for the kitchen that stands the test of time. The best RTA cabinets are made of solid wood and manufactured to last.
How can you tell high-quality cabinets and drawers from poor-quality cabinetry? Here are a few questions to ask yourself and guidelines to look for as you shop for potential cabinets.
Be sure to find solid wood options, not a mix of materials such as particle board or compressed wood.
Check how well the cabinet doors close. Do they slam with a bang or do they come ready with soft close settings? Are the hinges adjustable?
Do the same for the drawers. Do they glide easily or feel flimsy or shaky? Examine the dovetail joint quality. Is it firmly secured with no wiggle?
Don’t forget the shelves! Are they at least ¾ of an inch thick? Are the edges banded for protection?
The last thing you want is to skimp on quality in the kitchen. RTA wood cabinets offer reasonable pricing and custom design without compromising on quality.
#2 Measuring Incorrectly
Accurate dimensions are critical for planning a kitchen layout. You must know exactly what goes where and how each individual piece will fit together. Cabinets that are mismatched or not properly aligned cannot be squeezed into a space they weren’t designed for.
Avoid scrapping the whole set and having to start over by accurately measuring the space and each cabinet section. It’s possible to save time and money while still buying custom cabinetry. Austin-based cabinet manufacturers, National K&B Cabinetry, have a wide array of RTA kitchen cabinets to fit seamlessly into any project.
#3 Wasted Storage Space
Plan the cabinet layout strategically to adequately accommodate wiring and plumbing. These fixtures are bulky and can take up valuable storage space.
Use configurations that incorporate built-in wine storage, small appliance storage and lift, trash and recycling centers, blind corner swing-outs, base cabinet pullouts, filler pullouts, and other drawer accessories to maximize space usage.
#4 Finish Elements That Are Bad For Your Health
Not all stain finishes are created equal. Many include chemicals that are harmful and compromise air quality. Our ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets use one of the leading brands of stain finish and solid maple wood facings that are highly rated for indoor air quality.
#5 Mixed Frame Styles
Cabinet construction comes in two different forms: framed cabinets and frameless cabinets. They each have their merits but don’t work well together. Frameless cabinets offer more flexibility and accessibility as the doors are not built into the frame.
#6 Outdated Designs
Trends come and go in rapid succession. But there are some tried and true designs that will never go out of style. You want to create a cohesive look that matches your aesthetic but also contributes to the value and future salability of the home. RTA kitchen cabinets offer a wide range of styles to suit any design and outlast shaky trends.
Kitchen Cabinet Shopping Tips To Get It Right
Here’s how to set your kitchen design or remodel project up for success!
Set A Feasible Budget with Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets
Every kitchen’s needs are as unique as the family that uses it. Some will have wine storage and mixer lifts while others will need blind corner wing outs and garbage stations.
These choices will affect the budget. Even the most complex designs can still be achieved without breaking the bank when you choose RTA kitchen cabinets.
Get Help!
With all the measuring and style options, a kitchen build or remodel can be overwhelming. You don’t have to measure or configure a kitchen on your own. Recruit a design or installation professional to help you easily create a successful space.
Avoid Kitchen Cabinet Buying Pitfalls. Visit National K&B Cabinetry in Austin!
We are dedicated to providing kitchen, bathroom, and storage cabinets that are enjoyed long after the last cabinets are installed. Our team is ready to help with the design and configuration of the best RTA cabinets Austin has to offer! Call or come by today!
by bj jha | Mar 25, 2022 | Uncategorized
The bathroom is an inner sanctuary of a home. Even if it’s small, it can still feel luxurious and spacious. As the premier bathroom cabinet manufacturers in Austin, National K&B Cabinetry wants you to know that even when your bathroom has a small footprint, there are several ways you can make it feel bigger!
1. Keep Bathroom Colors Light and Bright
Space hides in deep, dark colors. While moody and dark wall paint colors for bathrooms are currently the trend, this fad doesn’t have the same longevity as the bright, clean feeling you get from lighter, more fresh colors. Especially when square footage is already a challenge!
Choose whites and creams for the walls and cabinets to give a cohesive, monochromatic appearance that feels open and clean. If you want to experiment with color, stick with soft hues and only on one accent wall to avoid hiding any of the limited space that’s available in your bathroom.
You can be a little more adventurous with the color of your custom or RTA bathroom vanity cabinets to add a little pizzazz to the space. Instead of paint, consider a large-scale print wallpaper that makes you feel small in comparison. This creates the illusion that everything in the room is small, making the room itself feel bigger.
Source: unsplash.com
1. Decorate with Large Mirrors
Mirrors give the illusion there is more space than what you actually have. They play with the light and redirect it into places the light may not otherwise have found.
Strategically place large mirrors in one or more places in your small bathroom. Or go all-in and create an entire mirrored wall! This is a simple way to make your bathroom feel much bigger than its small footprint.
2. Declutter Your Bathroom
Bathrooms typically don’t require much in the way of supplies, other than a few obvious items. Too much decor or open storage can add to the cramped feeling of a small bathroom. Always use closed storage cabinets and keep the floors clear of clutter.
3. Use Creative Lighting Solutions
Most bathrooms have boring light fixtures that don’t illuminate the room enough and leave one feeling uninspired. Wider and longer chandeliers will help increase light distribution, as opposed to a few bulbs over the mirror as you find in most bathrooms.
You can also increase natural light, if possible, with larger windows or by adding a skylight. Explore back-lighting options in strategic places like behind mirrors and RTA bathroom cabinets or other storage solutions. This will give your small bathroom a lovely glow and provide ambiance for bath time.
4. Plan Bathroom Cabinetry Wisely
When you don’t have a lot of square footage to work with, every square inch counts! Careful placement of standard or RTA bathroom cabinets is critical.
Did you know RTA bathroom cabinets can be designed to match your unique specifications? When trying to squeeze a whole bathroom on a small footprint, this option comes in handy! Take advantage of every square inch by planning your bathroom layout to match your space and your needs.
Vanities, linen closets, and other storage spaces can be crafted to suit your space. Our sturdy RTA bathroom cabinets are made of maple wood and are available in several bright and light-colored shades to keep your small space from feeling microscopic.
5. Patterned Floor Tiles
It may seem counterintuitive, but creating a busy pattern on the floor is especially helpful in a small bathroom with little to no natural light. Be strategic with creative light solutions for best results!
6. Modify Your Shower Door
Shower doors and curtains can feel like an additional wall in your bathroom. Upgrade your shower to a clear or textured glass door to create more space for the eye to capture in your small bathroom. This allows light to still pass through and reflect in other areas of the room.
Or take the door off completely! Depending on the type of shower you have, you may not need a shower door at all. This is a sure-fire way to add the appearance of more space in your small bathroom.
7. Install a Pocket Door
The arc of the bathroom door swing generally requires six to thirty-six inches in addition to the width of the door in order to accommodate use and traffic. That’s a lot of space you could use in your small bathroom!
Having a pocket door installed removes the need for arc space, essentially creating a larger footprint. This job isn’t as simple as an easy DIY solution and would require the expertise of a contractor but is highly effective nonetheless.
National K&B Cabinetry: Expert Bathroom Cabinet Manufacturers in Austin
Our beautifully crafted RTA bathroom cabinets offer both affordability and customization to fit both your budget and your small bathroom. Reach out to the NKBC team, and let’s get started!
by bj jha | Feb 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
Basement bathrooms have a bad reputation for being dark and dank, but it shouldn’t be that way! The basement is part of the home and contributes valuable square footage.
Take advantage of the opportunity to increase the value of your client’s home and increase their appreciation for a potentially neglected space by updating the basement bathroom.
Before You Get Started
As a first step, be sure to consult with city building authorities and check for any local zoning ordinances or deed restrictions, especially if you’re installing a new bathroom.
After that, begin to think about how the space will be used. As you’re planning, you’ll want to consider these things.
Basement Bathroom Size
If the basement is intended to function as guest quarters or a family suite, there should be a full or three-quarter bathroom installed. Approximately 60 square feet is the recommended square footage for a full bathroom. For a smaller bathroom or half-bath, plan for at least 30 square feet for a basement that is primarily an entertainment area, rec room, or office space.
Basement Plumbing and Electrical
Bathrooms should be installed in close proximity to existing plumbing and electrical lines, if at all possible. This will save you and your crew valuable time and reduce costs for your client.
Are there any drainage concerns? Do they need a specialized toilet system such as a pressure-assisted toilet, an up-flush toilet, or a sewage-ejector system? These will all have an impact on the overall design and orientation of the remodel.
One of the biggest reasons basement bathrooms have a bad reputation for being dark and dank is due to poor ventilation. No matter where you install the bathroom, keep it along exterior walls so proper ventilation can be constructed.
The Desired Lifestyle and Purpose
What kind of bathroom does your client want? An inexpensive design that just fits the bill? Something more custom? To avoid unnecessary change orders, plan every piece of porcelain and cabinetry with the homeowner in advance.
Do they want a free-standing clawfoot tub or bathtub and shower combo? Are they looking for a full-sized corner shower with custom tiled walls or a prefabricated shower stall?
Are they going for a classic pedestal sink or an RTA bathroom vanity? What about mirrors and drawer configuration? Will this bathroom have a traditional flushing toilet or a sustainable composting commode?
Of course, all of these design choices will be guided by space, economic considerations, and how the space will be used.
Source: Pexels.com
Basement Bathroom Installation and Remodel Ideas
A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to carry a massive budget to have a big-budget impact. Here are a few design ideas for contractors and real estate agents who are guiding clients towards the perfect basement bathroom installation or remodel.
“A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to carry a massive budget to have a big-budget impact.”
1. Let There Be Light
Dark and dank no more! Brighten up any basement bathroom with improved and energy-efficient lighting. Recessed light fixtures work well over tubs and showers or directly over toilets. Classy vertical fixtures enhance mirror visibility and look quite elegant when mounted on each side of the vanity.
Track lighting offers a more modern look and can provide lighting in strategic parts of the room with one fixture. Dimmer settings can serve as mood lighting or night lights if the basement is intended for sleeping quarters. For the more robust budget, a bathroom chandelier would add a “wow” factor in addition to sufficient lighting.
2. Create Storage Everywhere
If there’s one thing every house never seems to have enough of, it’s storage. A basement bathroom is an ideal place to make up some of that storage space! And with easy, affordable solutions like RTA bathroom cabinets, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Install a large linen closet for all those surplus sheets and towels taking up space in the upstairs storage. Add floor-to-ceiling seasonal storage for decorations and supplies that you don’t need all the time but want to keep safely inside rather than in the garage.
Combine the basement bathroom with the laundry room and create a laundry organization and folding station your neighbors will drool over!
3. Update the Shower
Prefabricated showers are usually the most affordable solution. but they’re notoriously boring. Depending on the orientation of the stall, update an old shower with a fresh glass door to give the room a classy feel. Or if the client is ready to take that old prefab shower out, install a full shower with tiled walls.
4. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
As always, a fresh coat of paint in a bright or contrasting color will give any bathroom a new and improved look and feel. Be sure to get anti-molding paint in a basement bathroom due to the potential for decreased ventilation.
National K&B Cabinetry: Expert Bathroom Cabinet Manufacturers in Austin
The easiest way to affordably customize a basement bathroom installation or remodel is to use RTA bathroom cabinets! At National K&B Cabinetry, our ready to assemble cabinets are made of the highest-quality solid maple for timeless beauty and function. All right here in Austin!
Reach out to the NKBC team today, and let’s get started!
by bj jha | Feb 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are opened and closed dozens of times on any given day in homes across the globe. Quality in both design and craftsmanship is crucial in order to keep your cabinets performing at their best.
Realtors, builders, and homeowners alike need to know about the different types of cabinetry available and what each type is designed for in order to make the best buying decision for the space. If you’re not sure where to start, this article will teach you the basics and help you see the benefits of both RTA and pre-assembled cabinets.
The Top Two Cabinet Types
There are essentially two categories for cabinets: RTA (or ready-to-assemble cabinets) and pre-assembled cabinets. While the differences may seem straightforward, the manufacturing, shipping, quality, usage, and price all play a factor in kitchen cabinet selection.
RTA Cabinets
As the name indicates, “ready-to-assemble” cabinets are prepackaged and shipped to the job site. They require on-site assembly prior to final installation.
Pre-assembled Cabinets
Pre-assembled cabinets are just the opposite of RTA. They arrive at the job site assembled with all the necessary hardware and are ready for installation right away.
To help you in your selection process, here are five of the primary differences to consider before buying cabinets.
“When buying ready-to-assemble options, you may find you’re able to choose a higher quality bath or kitchen cabinet than you could otherwise afford.”
Source: Pexels.com
#1: Assembly
This is the most obvious difference between the two options. Pre-assembled cabinets arrive ready for installation and provide the most convenient solution.
Even though ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets and bath cabinets must be assembled before installation, the process is usually simple and doesn’t require a professional’s touch. However, if you can’t or don’t want to DIY this part, you may eat up a bit of the cost-savings by hiring out the work.
If you decide, during assembly or installation, that you want to make a change to the configuration, this could prove difficult for pre-assembled cabinets. The design was settled on weeks or months before they were manufactured. Remodeling the configuration means professional skills, fancy equipment, and more time.
With ready-to-assemble cabinets, you have the flexibility to make some changes spur-of-the-moment and reconfigure the layout as needed.
#2: Materials
Some dealers sell ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets made of mixed materials like particleboard and compressed wood to cut corners. This has given a false sense of inferiority to the ready-to-assemble cabinet market as a whole.
At Kavalan Cabinetry, your local source for custom cabinetry in Austin, we only offer the highest-quality solid maple for timeless beauty and function.
Pre-assembled cabinetry can be manufactured out of virtually any type of wood. The most common choices are cherry, oak, pine, and maple.
In both cases, if they’re made using solid wood, it’s possible to refinish the cabinets down the road when you’re ready for a new look and feel to your kitchen.
#3: Cost
When you choose ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets, you’re choosing what is essentially a wholesale option. The cabinets have been pre-produced in large numbers to provide the highest quality product at the most affordable price.
When buying ready-to-assemble options, you may find you’re able to choose a higher quality bath or kitchen cabinet than you could otherwise afford.
Pre-assembled is more expensive to start. In some cases, it’s more than double or triple the cost of RTA. The expense is due to design, production, and shipping. Due to their size and bulk, they can’t be shipped in flat boxes. This results in longer and more costly shipping.
#4: Customization
Pre-assembled cabinets can be manufactured after an order has been placed and be made to fit exact specifications in both configuration, style, color, and material. This also allows for additional design features like pull-outs and lazy Susans.
With ready-to-assemble cabinets, your design and style selection will be more limited at the base level. Custom features such as built-in wine storage, mixer storage and lift, blind corner swing outs, glass door inserts, trash and recycling centers, and drawer accessories can be offered as an upgrade.
#5: Time
Obviously, a kitchen or bath cabinet that arrives ready to bolt in is far more efficient to install than the option with assembly required. There’s little to no waiting — just unpack your pre-assembled cabinetry and you’re in business.
What many buyers forget to consider is shipping time. Depending on the level of customization your designers create, there could be a significant delay in delivery.
Ready-to-assemble configurations can typically be sourced from a local warehouse, or if shipping is required, you’re not waiting on custom manufacturing times. You could have a finished kitchen or bath much quicker if you choose ready-to-assemble cabinets.
Consult Your Local Experts at National K&B Cabinetry — Offering the Best RTA Cabinets in Austin!
It can be overwhelming to consider all the factors that go into designing a kitchen, whether it’s for yourself or your client. We can help take some of the pressure off and walk you through the whole process.
Reach out to the NKBC team today and let’s get started!
by bj jha | Jan 3, 2022 | Uncategorized
Source: Unsplash
For most people, 2021 was the start of returning back to what really matters: family, friends, good conversation, and food. All of those things are easiest to enjoy in the kitchen where an organized space makes it easy to put on a great meal and still keep track of what’s going on in the conversation.
Kitchen cabinets aren’t just about containing our most-used gadgets and tools; they’re an important visual aspect of the space. We love ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets for their affordability, ease of assembly, and variety. RTA cabinets are the perfect middle ground between the ultra-luxe custom cabinets and the mass-produced, big-box cabinetry.
We know that RTA cabinets will continue to be in high demand in the coming year, but we wanted to highlight a few other trends likely to skyrocket after the New Year festivities. Here are the top six kitchen cabinet trends for 2022.
1. Scandinavian-Style Cabinets
You don’t have to be an IKEA fan to see the appeal of these beautiful Scandinavian-style cabinets. At one point, they were a novelty, only showing up in a few maverick homes. However, their appeal is in the sleek look they bring to a kitchen.
There are no hinges or handles, providing that smooth look that makes them so popular. As you might imagine, the most popular color is white, but beautiful pearl grays and beiges are working their way into the conversation quickly as homeowners look to branch out from plain white.
These ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets are designed to open up from the bottom instead of pulling on a handle, giving a bit of an industrial and modern look to the kitchen.
2. Floating Shelving
Does the shelving actually float? Of course not. But many people are going crazy over the look of these “floating” shelves, which are designed to install against the wall without showing any brackets or other fixtures.
They not only open up a room, but they are great for storing keepsakes from travels or displaying your fine china. Why leave the good dishes just for holidays? These days, any day is a celebration.
3. Warm, Rich Wood
The top three kinds of wood for cabinet doors in 2022 will be the classics, but with a new twist. Maple, oak, and cherry are all great selections for cabinet doors, and homeowners want to use them in different ways. The beauty of ready-to-assemble cabinets is that they give homeowners options.
You can recreate this look in a number of ways; dark chocolate tones are a great place to start.
4. More Metal Than a Rock Band
From stainless steel finishes to gold accents, it’s clear that homeowners are ready to go bold. You can’t go wrong with adding metal finishes within the kitchen, and cabinets provide a way to go boldly forward without going too forward.
Sleek metal handles for cabinet doors, floating shelves with metal accents to highlight the vignettes displayed, and upgraded drawer pulls are all on the menu again. We’re happy to see homeowners willing to take a risk to add something new to the kitchen.
5. Strong Contrast
Is the reign of white-on-white-on-white over? We think it will come to a close in 2022 as more and more homeowners embrace colorful schemes for the kitchen. While white is the ultimate neutral, people are ready to connect again, which means having colors that strike up a conversation.
Whether that’s soft seafoam greens or fiery reds and playful oranges, it’s clear that homeowners are looking to shake things up.
Some color contrasts that you’re likely to see in 2022 include dark blue against coral, peach against deep honey, black and gold, and plenty of other interesting, eclectic combinations.
6. Maximalism
What is maximalism? It’s a movement that basically turns minimalism on its head. Indeed, the reigning mantra here is “more is more,” and this can take shape in multiple ways when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Raised panel cabinets with bold metal hardware or even louvered cabinets lend the feeling of space to any kitchen.
You can truly run wild with maximalism, bringing color, size, shape, and dimension to a kitchen that will surely become a conversation piece in its own right.
Tying It All Together
There’s still plenty of time to look at the kitchen cabinet trends above and make a real plan of action to bring in something different into your kitchen. Even if you’re a contractor working with clients, knowing what’s hot and what’s cooling off helps you make even better recommendations.
Once you show us examples of the cabinets you like, our team at National K&B Cabinetry can discuss how to make this trend come alive at home. We’re also happy to answer any additional questions you have about RTA cabinets or what’s fashionable in the great world of cabinetry.
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