Tile finish. Glossy tiles like a high-sheen porcelain or a bright mirror tile will catch highlights and often appear lighter on the wall than they may look in your hand when holding a sample. For these materials, go with a lighter grout than you might otherwise choose.Notice in this case how the patterning of the tile is revealed by the cabinet lights even without a bold grout.
A simple drawer at the bottom of the cabinet is handy for storing items that aren’t used frequently. The drawer will be in an area where someone is often standing, so consider whether that’s practical. Note the steel rod running the length of the upper cabinet — it’s a simple and space-efficient way to hold towels.
Special drawers. A U-shaped drawer can be made to fit your sink, creating storage in the nooks on either side of the sink that would otherwise be wasted. Tip: If the drawer is wood-based, make sure the edges are kept as dry as possible (or sealed) to prevent water damage.Favorite kitchen storage ideas
Lining an undersink shelf with a plastic film, preferably one that has a slight lip in the corners, is a simple way to protect your cabinetry. Plastic trays and racks are also easy and effective solutions.Tip: If you have an adjustable shelf, ask your cabinetmaker to edge the sides that are usually left raw; this will increase the longevity of the shelf should water leak into the corners.Find more pantry and cabinet organizers
Wood-based shelves. Anything with a wood-melamine base, such as shelves and drawers, needs to stay dry. In just about every undersink area I’ve had in my home, the shelf had to eventually be removed due to swelling in the melamine. If wood-based products are your only option, try to seal the edges as well as possible, or store only dry items in this area. Wood-based drawers are generally expensive, so you want to avoid the replacement costs.Tip: There are specialized products on the market that look similar to melamine but are made with synthetic and completely waterproof materials. Do your research and talk to a cabinetmaker if you’re looking for a durable and waterproof solution.Find a cabinetry pro
Before we get started on the details, I have one overall bit of advice: select finishes that you love, regardless of what is trending. Recently, I bumped into an old client and asked if she still loved her chartreuse kitchen seven years later. She does, and chartreuse is still her favorite color. Remember that trends come and go, and select the finishes that make you happy. Now on to design tips for your kitchen remodel.Range Hood Strategies1. Use door restrictors. Due to the projection of the hood, the doors on any directly adjacent wall cabinets will hit the hood when opened. To avoid dinging your beautiful cabinet doors, you have two options. You can add a restrictor to the door closest to the hood, keeping the door from opening past 90 degrees. Or you can use a door that opens away from the hood, as shown here.
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