Kitchen Design
5 Kitchen Design Tips of the Week
Get tricks for countertops, storage, tile and more
2. Consider a countertop open storage system. Many homeowners balk at the idea of a microwave sitting on the countertop, but when given its own platform with storage drawers below and ironwork open shelves above, as was the case in this traditional kitchen, it takes on a life of its own. There’s something both elegant and playful about this setup that wouldn’t have been achieved with a standard upper cabinet.
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See more of this kitchen
3. Embrace glass-fronted cabinets. The idea of open shelves or glass-fronted cabinets can turn off many homeowners. Why would I want people to see my disorganized stack of mismatched dishes? But if you’re going with a mostly white color scheme, it’s a great way to give yourself the option of adding a few hints of bolder colors. It’s much easier to swap in and out some colorful dishes here and there than to change, for example, a vibrant backsplash choice that you later come to regret.
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See more of this kitchen and house
4. Go with a waterfall-edge countertop in an open floor plan. When you enter a kitchen that’s housed in its own room, you mostly approach — and view — the island from one side. But in an open plan with a great-room-style layout, you could be viewing the island from all sides. In these cases, consider adopting a waterfall-edge countertop, as was done with this rich walnut island, to give a bit of a peek at a design detail from any room.
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See more of this home
5. Take that backsplash tile all the way to the ceiling. Figuring out where to stop and start your backsplash tile can be a bit of a challenge. But if you’re going with a subtle, neutral color palette and a gorgeous tile that’s not overbearing, and you have pockets of exposed surfaces around windows, a range hood and open shelves, then you have a good recipe for taking your tile to the max. This Southern California kitchen is a fitting example of how powerful a seemingly small detail can be. It’s hard to imagine stopping the tile at any other point.
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Other Resources on Houzz
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See more of this kitchen
More
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Other Resources on Houzz
Find a kitchen designer
Browse kitchen photos
Get kitchen advice
Find kitchen products
See more of this kitchen