Need ideas on cabinets and counter tops that will stay in style!

11 years ago

My husband and I are getting ready to build a new home. We are trying to stay on a budget and upgrade only on certain things for now. I was thinking of laminate counter tops and upgrading later down the road. I would like them to stay in style for at least 10 years. Is there anything you would recommend? We're going to go with white cabinets and wood flooring in the whole house aside from the bathrooms and the laundry, they will be tile.

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Comments (8)

User
11 years ago
You're chasing your tail. NOTHING is "timeless". The best that you can hope for is to choose items that fit the "bones" of your home. They will look less dated than any other choice for the longest time. For instance, if you are doing a Craftsman, something in quarter sawn oak. If you're doing a French Country style, then something painted, with some color might work.

Stay far away from current popular trends. Even the "timeless" white cabinet with wood floors will scream their age loudly in retrospect in a few years.
redheadeddaughter
11 years ago
We are building on a budget as well, and my husband and I are having these same discussions.

Well, GreenDesigns might be right technically. But I have always loved white kitchens... even 30 years ago when I used to go through houses with my parents. They are still my favorite today. The cabinet styles of course have changed over the years, but boy I would pick a house with dated white cabinets over oak and brass every day. So I think you are on the right track with your choices. Wood floors also great. I would go with wood/butcher block countertops over laminate though. Even the Ikea wood countertops. Some work required, but laminate is very limiting when you are cooking, even though I know the choices are far better now. I've lived with both (and marble & granite too) and prefer the butcher block. But that's just me. ;) I'm pulling for a combo of marble and butcher block on our build... the marble is my "splurge" item. Even though it's impractical. Can't wait to see what you choose.
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Gwent, my GW email doesn't work....but anyway, we left that house last year and I'll have to dig up some pictures. The only ones I have handy have no backsplash--we took over a year to pick that out. We had natural stained red oak floors to match the rest of the house (pretty light) and medium cherry cabinets in a reddish tone. We only used Motawis for highlights (Ladybell I think in greens)--a 6x6 over the cooktop and 3x3s at the ends of the counter runs. I think we used 4x4s. I should remember this--we installed ourselves. But it's early here. We used a glossy white handmade subway for the field tiles and a grey grout, sort of SS color but what I was trying for was that old concrete-looking stuff you'd find in old tile jobs. Have you considered tile for a counter? If I didn't break things so often, that'd always be my first choice (except it's too hard to pick out). I would want a machine made tile for the countertop so it would be very FLAT, of course Laminate might work out very well, and even dark colors. Just use more lights! People seem to find soapstone easy to care for and it would be pretty appropriate in your part of the country (even if you did end up with something imported). Whatever you get, the tiles will pop on their own. That's how they hooked you! I wanted to use Motawi's Sweet Pea line in it entirety on my new kitchen but they discontinued it. That was my favorite border pattern...it would have looked weird in THIS house anyway, but I was willing to overlook that. Anyway, if you haven't communicated with the people at the pottery, they are very nice and may have some ideas. We drove over there many times dragging a baby while we made up our minds and the staff were helpful. Now that we've relocated, I've emailed them a few times and they really are awfully nice.
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Here is the shop address and pictures of the valances I had made. They’re lined, the pattern in the larger one is matched up so it looks like one piece and the seams are under the sashes. They’re beyond perfect plus the turn around time was great and they returned all the unused fabric to me. Sorry, the pictures don’t show them very well. Oh! And if you find a style you want that they don’t have on their site, just ask them, they will most likely be able to accomodate you. I plan on having valances for my walk in pantry and our masterbath made by the as well. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheIvyTrellis?ref=l2-shopheader-name
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I agree with LWO--cooktop on the back wall. Also agree about time spent on each kitchen task. (The rest of his post seems a little hyperbolic.) You can then center the sink on the island, and prep to the left, across from the cooktop. The work triangle is contained in an area the size of a normal kitchen ;), and since the sink, DW, and trash pull-out are centered on the island, you have the option to reduce the widths of the drawers on each end, if finding a counter slab that wide proves difficult. I moved the ovens out of the corner (see pic at bottom for possible corner storage options), and drew the cabinets on the back wall deeper than standard, since you have such a wide work aisle. That will also provide more counter space, and if you're using a custom cabinet builder, you can have deeper drawers, for extra storage space. I'd suggest making the bar sink at least 18" wide, so it doubles as a prep sink when you have helpers in the kitchen. I reduced the size of the sink in the butler's pantry, to 18", and added a full-height ROTS pantry unit in there. You could also have a pull-out pantry to the right of the ovens, depending on which corner storage option is chosen. I made the counter deeper in the pantry and omitted the jog to recess the fridge. Cabinet widths are approximate and need to be verified. GW discussions--deeper counters GW discussions--deeper drawers
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phoggie
11 years ago
I too love white or cream cabinets...they always look light and bright. When I was building, my first thought was go use laminate....but my cabinet maker changed my mind...although he would have sold me the laminate. I had picked the high-definition laminate but did not realize that for less than $1000 difference, I was able to get granite...which I love! The cabinet maker said that if it was him, he would spend a little bit more because he felt it would be worth it if I ever had to sell. I think he was right...those counter-tops make the kitchen and I am not sorry I took his advice.
pugs242
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you all so much for you opinions! We are meeting with the cabinet/counter guy in a few weeks! If the price isn't much more I may just go with a stone! Marble would be my dream counter but I know way over my budget right now!
amykath
11 years ago
I think if you go with something you have always loved then you did the right thing. Look back through the decades... white has always been in style.

I too have always loved white! Good luck!
bird_lover6
11 years ago
White is not always going to be as popular as it is now, but I don't think it is going to look nearly as dated as the golden oak cabinets that were all the rage a couple of decades ago, especially if your cabinets fit the architectural design of your house.
phoggie
11 years ago
Pugs...I had marble counters in my last house and hated them! Be prepared to be content with the etching...which I could not stand...finally took them out and put in granite...just my 2 cents.
pugs242
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you all so much! We are going to meet with the cabinet guy tomorrow!

Need ideas on cabinets and counter tops that will stay in style!

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redheadeddaughter

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Need ideas on cabinets and counter tops that will stay in style!

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redheadeddaughter

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