Blog1: Ways to Upgrade Basic Kitchen Cabinets

If you are looking to revamp your kitchen without breaking the bank, then a great option is to redo your kitchen cabinets. There are tons of basic upgrades that you can do on your cabinets that will completely change the way your kitchen looks and feels. Cosmetic changes are a great way to help a more substantial, time-consuming, and costly kitchen renovation hold its value and can take a kitchen that appears to be from the last century and update it to a modern masterpiece. Here are some examples of things you can do to your cabinets to completely change your kitchen.

Paint Job

If your kitchen feels too cave-like and closed off, it can easily be thanks to dark cabinets in a space that is too small for them. There is no need to take these cabinets down and replace them, a paint job or new stain is all you need. If you go the staining route, you will have to strip the old stain to replace it with a lighter one, while if you paint your kitchen cabinets white or another light colour, then you will merely have to clean them and paint them. While a bit labour intensive, painting is inexpensive.

Resurface

If your kitchen is particularly old or has been home to a heavy load or full of kids, then the cabinets may be coated in grease and scratched. You do not have to throw these cabinets out, especially if they are good quality wood. You can instead have the cabinets professionally resurfaced. The cost of this is five times less than installing all new cabinets, and you can end up saving beautiful cabinetry that is otherwise still functional.

Cabinet Under Lighting

You can install under lighting on your cabinets for a meagre price depending on how you do it. Simple stick on pop lights is one method that is very inexpensive but can offer a lot of extra light. You can also go with an LED strip to really light the area up or get an electrician to install something more heavy duty than a battery-powered addition to your kitchen.

Install Cabinet Features

To make your cabinets more functional, you can install pull out cabinet shelves and lazy susans. Pull out shelves resemble shallow drawers and make it easy to access things buried deep inside bottom shelves. It also will help keep you from shoving too much inside of a cabinet and having a cascade down upon you when you open your cabinets up. Lazy susans can go in spice cabinets to make it easy to access everything or in corner cabinets to give you better access to otherwise underutilized space.

Add a Plate Rack

A plate rack is a great way to store your dishes, cut down on breaks when you're trying to pull a plate down, and display the beautiful dishes you paid so much to enjoy. It also helps spare storage space for other essential things. A simple slotted storage system can be built from a kit or by a professional.

If you are looking to make upgrades to your kitchen cabinets or do some custom cabinet design, then contact us at Woodhaven Kitchens. Our kitchen design team does everything, including kitchen countertops or laminate countertops. Just tell us what you need, and we'll make your kitchen look brand new.

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Blog 2: How to Renovate Your Kitchen Under Budget

Are you about to start a big kitchen renovation and worried about going over budget? Adding new style and functionality to your kitchen doesn’t have to cost an arm and both legs. These are some tips to help you stay on budget during your kitchen reno.

Add More Lighting

Help brighten up your kitchen with new lighting fixtures, whether its a modern chandelier, pendant lighting over an island or just LED lighting strips underneath the cabinets. These features are much cheaper than opening up an exterior wall to add an extra window or two.

Hire a Professional

The contractor or designer knows best. By creating a kitchen design plan ahead of time, before any walls start coming down, you know exactly where your money’s going and how things will play out. This will save you from making expensive changes in the middle of construction that end up costing more than you’d anticipated.

Don’t Move the Plumbing

Use the existing piping layout for your new kitchen to save you major cash. The same goes for the utilities. Even if you replace everything with new appliances and fixtures, you’ll save thousands by keeping them where they are.

Remnant Stone

Go to a granite supply yard and pick up a remnant stone slab, which is a leftover stone slab that was apart of a larger slab. You’re still getting high-quality kitchen countertops while also saving money to put towards other aspects of your kitchen.

Save the Scraps

On average, about 5-15% of renovation materials are leftover after the job’s done. Instead of throwing away the materials you paid for, use them to create little decor pieces, like cutting boards from pieces of granite.

Refinish Floors

Even if you’ve already knocked down a few walls, patching up an existing wood floor before sanding it down and refinishing it can save you from replacing it entirely. Or, if you desperately need to replace that cracked tile or old vinyl, choose a less expensive flooring option like natural bamboo, porcelain or sealed cork.

Updating Cabinets

Painting kitchen cabinets instead of outright replacing them will help transform the atmosphere while saving a few dollars. You can mix up the paint for the upper and lower cabinets, or between the cabinets and the island if you’re planning on installing one. Add some new hardware and you have yourselves a new kitchen.

If painting isn’t enough of a change, try replacing some of the door inserts with clear or frosted glass. Refacing cabinets is much cheaper than replacing them, and it's a do-it-yourself project that won't take weeks to finish. You can even get fancy and choose a textured, coloured or patterned glass to really customize your kitchen cabinets.

At Woodhaven Kitchens, we offer a variety of products that include door, drawers and cabinet shells, constructed using the finest woods. Located in Newmarket, Ontario, our experienced craftsmen work with kitchens, bathroom vanities, wall units and custom built-ins. We strongly believe that our products will meet your expectations, as we strive to satisfy our clients by providing the highest standards of craftsmanship with quality service. We’ll cater to your needs and bring your ideas to life as we take care of the entire process, from construction to installation. Call or email us today.

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Blog3: Colour Schemes to Brighten Your Kitchen

Having a bright and airy kitchen can make anyone feel welcome in the space. There are several ways to make you and your family feel warm in your kitchen, any time of the day. Here are a few colour palettes that will help you achieve that if you feel like your cooking space is a bit too dreary.

Bright and White

White with a bright accent colour will freshen up any kitchen. Whether it's your walls you choose to paint one of the hundreds of shades of white available, or your cabinets (or both), choose whatever accent colour you please. Just make sure it’s something you love, or you may get tired of it fast. Yellows or greens bring balance and happiness to any room, but especially in a kitchen when you're working hard to make a delicious dinner for your family or guests. This accent colour doesn’t have to be incorporated through paint, it can be used in dish towels, plates and cups, small kitchen appliances, whatever you desire.

Lively Pastels

Brighter pastel shades can do surprisingly well in a kitchen. Much like yellow and green, pastel pinks, blues, peaches and more can add a feeling of joy that makes you want to stay in there all day long. No one wants a kitchen that feels dark and depressing, one you wouldn’t want to step foot in for more than a few minutes. Use these colours in addition to white details to avoid having your kitchen feel more like a giant children’s playset. Either paint or have pastel decorations but don't forget to add a light neutral for balance.

All the Colours

If you want a bright kitchen with personality, but don't think just white will do it, then trying going outside the box with a rainbow of colours. Use brighter neutrals, or even darker ones, for flooring and cabinets while going wild everywhere else. You can choose multiple tints and shades of one colour, or mix and match several through dishware, small appliances, artwork, towels, whatever you want. If you want the most colour possible but start to feel overwhelmed, try sticking with colours in a warm palette, such as reds, oranges and yellows, or cooler tones like blues, greens and purples.

Fancy Neutrals

Who said neutrals have to be boring? If you have a kitchen with darker cabinets or flooring, stick with warmer, yellow or orange based colours to brighten the space up. Or for even more contrast, go lighter with a warm, creamy shade of white paint. If you have light neutrals throughout your cabinets, then do the reverse. Darker tones on your walls will make your custom cabinets pops, the detail in them on display for all to admire. Pick decor and accessories that are slightly darker or lighter than your walls or cabinets.

To aid in your newly painted kitchen, Woodhaven Kitchens offers custom build cabinets, wall units and built-in shelving. Located in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, we know our products, which also include doors, drawers and cabinet shells, will meet your expectations because we strive to make your our clients are satisfied. Woodhaven Kitchen provides the highest standard of craftsmanship with quality service. Call or email us, as we take care of the entire building process. From construction to installation, we’re passionate about bringing your ideas to life.

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Blog4: Kitchen design tips for the elderly

Whether you are looking to move your parents into a new home or are yourself looking for more accessible options, redesigning a kitchen can significantly improve most people's' lives. A few tweaks here and thoughtful planning there can make everyday tasks quick and simple. Here are some useful tips to make your kitchen more efficient:

Ensure floors are slip resistant

Choose flooring that does not get slick when spilled on to reduce the chances of a fall. Porcelain tile is a good option because it absorbs less moisture than ceramic and other flooring materials, and is easy to clean and maintain. Vinyl is another good option because it too is slip resistant and feels softer on feet. Floor tiling should have enough texture and grout to grip feet reliably.

Install a pull out pantry

These are useful for people of all ages. It allows you to see everything without shuffling around for items. Easy access drawers also give you access to cereal boxes and canned food without straining your knees or back. You can even put heavy portable appliances like slow cookers and blenders in it.

Remember clearance space

The standard clearance space between, appliances, walls, and cabinets is 36 inches. This amount of space is enough to move comfortably in a walkway and access doors and drawers. Although, if the kitchen needs to accommodate a wheelchair, this space will need to be bigger. U-shaped kitchen should have at least 60 inches of clearance space between opposing appliances, walls, and cabinets. Pass through, or galley kitchens should have at least 40 inches of space between opposing surfaces.

Avoid corners

Pick open shelves and countertops with round edges. A kitchen filled with 90-degree angles will increase the likelihood of bruises and bumps.

Make corners accessible

While avoiding outward corners, make inward corners easier to access. Look for corner cabinet options that do not require someone to get on all fours to reach for items. Opt for a three-drawer base or a traditional Lazy Susan. Corner cabinets can provide ample space, but make that space easy to utilize as well.

Keep the stove and sink close together

It is difficult to carry big pots of water between the sink and stove as we get older. If any water spills on the way, it also becomes a slipping hazard. It is also best to leave some counter space between the sink and stove so that you have somewhere to set the pot down. You could also have the sink and stove across from each other if that works better in your kitchen.

Choose a shallow sink

Buy one that is only six to eight inches deep as it would be much easier to wash dishes and rinse vegetables in a shallow basin.

Pick drawers over doors

Drawers can easily display all of your utensils and flatware while being accessible. No need to get on your hands and knees to peer into the back of a cabinet. Deep set drawers can stow plenty of pans and pots.

Pick traditional over trendy

If you want to design an accessible kitchen, skip the ornate refrigerator panels, angled counter, and decorative legs. These accents are eye-catching, but can also turn your kitchen into an obstacle course. People will be more likely to bumps their knees and hips against cabinetry and appliances.

Put the microwave at or below counter height

Having this appliance at counter height will eliminate the need to bend or reach above your shoulders. If you want to save counter space, you could put the microwave under the counter instead. It is easier to place a heavy plate down than it is to lift it above your shoulders. Spills are also more likely if you have to reach up to remove a hot plate - having a microwave under prevents burns. Using a microwave drawer is the best option, you can see the control panel better and access is from the top, not the front.

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Blog 5: Tips for Planning a Galley Kitchen

Fitting for many kitchen styles, the double run that creates a galley kitchen is preferred by professional chefs and homeowners alike. It’s safe and efficient while cooking and can be customized to fit any and all of your needs. Are you thinking of installing a galley kitchen in your home? Then here’s what you need to know when planning it out.

Evaluate Your Space

Galley kitchens are best suited for small spaces but can look gorgeous is medium-sized kitchens as well. If the runs are placed too far apart, as they would be in a large space, then the efficiency of having a galley kitchen is lost. This kitchen style is ideal for professional use and enclosed areas without a dining space. With the right configuration, it can work to become a sociable room as well as a functional room, which can be accomplished in an open floor plan.

Symmetrical or Asymmetrical?

With a symmetrical galley kitchen, the countertops, cabinet design and appliances mirror one another as much as possible. An asymmetrical galley kitchen, on the other hand, allows for a variety of design approaches, including having a full wall of cabinets on one side or mixing tall and short units with a single running countertop on the other. You have a lot more options when it comes to designing an asymmetrical galley kitchen.

Work With the Corridor Space

While some galley corridors are closed off on one side, others link two rooms together, creating a functional hallway. If this is the case, then you’ll be looking at very high traffic space. This may not be a problem if you have one or two other people living with you, but it becomes progressively difficult to function in a kitchen constantly packed with people. If this is the only option for you, then consider implicating the safest layout possible, which includes having the sink and stove installed along the same side. This significantly reduces the chance of bumping into someone while turning about in the narrow space. You can also look at widening the corridor space if possible.

Accent Wall

If you have a galley kitchen that’s closed off on one end, don’t let that wall go to waste! There’s so much you can do to the wall to help it become a functional feature of the kitchen. You could turn it into a chalkboard wall for dinner suggestions or quick recipes you just threw together, or install shelving for more storage. Or even install a giant mirror to make the small space look twice the size.

Galley with an Island

Including an island into your galley kitchen will add the entertainment space you need. The island would sit where the opposite runner would be and be free of appliances like a sink or stove. This will reduce the amount of turning going on as well as providing a safe area for your guests to admire your cooking skills.Added Seating

Whether it’s at the island, a small peninsula or breakfast bar, you don’t have to worry about giving up seating space with this design choice. But don’t have your breakfast bar pushed out too much, or else the distance between both runs will be too great, affecting the efficiency of the kitchen as a whole.

Located in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Woodhaven Kitchens offers a wide variety of kitchen products which include custom cabinet designs, bathroom vanities and custom wall units. Manufactured using the finest materials with quality craftsmanship, we work to make sure our customers are fully satisfied with their purchase. From construction to installation, call us today to start designing your perfect kitchen with us!

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Blog 6: Tips to make your kitchen look luxurious

You do not have to shell out a lot of money to make your kitchen look luxurious and high-end. With a bit of creativity and effort, you can turn a modest, plain kitchen into something out of a home decor magazine. Here are some simple tricks to make the most of your kitchen renovation.

Light Fixtures

Lighting is everything, not only in film production but also when it comes to producing the perfect kitchen. Changing out the builders standard light fixtures for ones that are fancier can change the whole vibe of your kitchen. You do not even have to pick the most expensive lights either. Choose one that is a globe style made of silver or brass for a modern and hip look. Consider under cab lighting. Add dimmers switches to lighting.

Showcase Your Best Glassware

After all, you did pay quite a bit for it so you may as well feature your best stem and glassware front and centre. Guests will be so focused on it that they will not even notice your less exciting, practical dishware in the back.

Change the Backsplash

Show off your style by personalizing your backsplash to suit your taste. It is less of an expensive endeavour than most kitchen upgrades, and it marks your kitchen as much as cabinets do. Updating backsplash can even make older fixtures look more modern.

Add Real Fruit

It may seem cliched, but it really works to bring life to your kitchen. Fake fruit as props to decorate a kitchen looks obvious. Using real fruit in a basket as a centre piece adds a touch of much-needed colour in a neutral kitchen.

Use a Diffuser

Burning incense or candles adds a pleasant scent to your kitchen and can quickly eliminate strong cooking odours. Choose scents associated with luxury like clove or lavender to fill your kitchen. It will not set you back too much money, but people will notice.

Get a Rug

Adding texture and colour to your kitchen with a rug is an easy way to liven up the area without sacrificing space. You could try placing an oriental-styled runner between your counter and island with a contrasting colour. It will also feel nice on your feet when you spend hours prepping food in the kitchen.

Go Big

Wall art can brighten up any room, but big wall art can do it better. Over-the-top and luxury go hand in hand. Consider investing in a print or painting that fills an entire wall for a statement-making piece.

Natural Light

Optimize the natural light in your kitchen to its fullest extent. Sunlight can make a room appear larger than it is. Use sheer and light-coloured curtain or blinds for your kitchen windows and keep them open during the day. A kitchen filled with natural light will look and feel inviting and expensive.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to upgrade your kitchen. For help with your kitchen project, call Woodhaven Kitchens and let us help guide you with our years of experience.

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Blog 7: Ideal Countertop materials for your Kitchen

Whether you’re completely renovating your kitchen or simply replacing the countertops, making a decision on which material you want to be installed can be overwhelming. There are a variety of options on the market that hit different price points and offer their own pros and cons. To help make your decision a bit easier, here are seven of the more popular countertop materials and what you need to know about them.

Granite

By far one of the most popular countertop materials around, granite is a natural stone that has stood the test of time. Highly durable, heavy duty and non-porous when sealed, this countertop will last for decades. The variety of earthy colour options allow it to fit beautifully into several different kitchen aesthetics.

Engineered Quartz

When you choose a quartz countertop, you’ll have a variety of colour and texture options to choose from. This engineered product made of recycled stone, pigments and resin is highly durable, non-absorbent and eco-friendly.

Porcelain

Another new engineered counter. There is a variety of colour and texture options to choose from. This engineered product is basically a large tile cut & mounted on plywood is highly durable, non-absorbent and eco-friendly.

Tile

The number of tile designs, colours and sizes available on the market seem to be endless, making it the perfect option to suit any kitchen aesthetic. The most popular tile options are ceramic and stone, both very durable and easy to install or repair. The only thing you’ll have to watch out for is keeping the grout clean.

Laminate

This is an incredibly affordable countertop option that can imitate any material on this list. Easy to clean and available in a wide range of colours, textures and patterns, you’ll be able to customize the look of your kitchen even more with this choice.

Marble

If you want a classic and modern look for your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with marble countertops. Particularly in all white kitchens, marble adds character without taking away from the simplicity of the overall design. These kitchen countertops need to be sealed and maintained regularly to keep them looking brand new.

Butcher Block

Installing solid wood kitchen countertops in your house will create a warm and cozy aesthetic that will consistently bring people together. While not a common countertop option, high-quality wood can be installed and sealed in no time. Butcher block counters can be a bit high maintenance at times but the beauty of them is worth it.

Recycled Glass

These countertops bring in a superior aesthetic that will add interest to any kitchen design. While a bit pricey depending on where you go, it’s an environmentally friendly choice that allows you to customize the look to create a unique kitchen of your own.

Solid Surface

These countertops are acrylic, can be easily machined into unique shapes if required, with invisible seams. This is not a stone, is still non porous, does not need sealing and can be repaired if damaged. Also a large selection available

AtWoodhaven Kitchens , we provide our customers with a variety of products, which include drawers, doors and custom cabinets all made from quality materials, as well as bathroom vanities, custom built-ins and more. We strive to make sure our customers are 100% satisfied with our craftsmanship, as we work to meet your expectations to the fullest. Our experienced tradesmen will take you through the entire process, from construction to installation, so give us a call to get started on your project today.

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Blog 8: How to Make Your Kitchen Look like a Professional Space

It’s the little things that can separate your kitchen from a professional, high-end space. Whether it’s the paint colour, the decor or the mass of appliances, there are simple fixes to change that. Here are eight things you can do today to make your kitchen look more professional.Update Cabinet Hardware

A simple fix that will make all the difference, change out the hardware on your cabinet doors to give them an updated feel. Match accent finishes from other rooms or buy something completely unique to your style.Use Lighter Colours

Repainting your kitchen will always be an affordable and impactful way of taking your kitchen to the professional level. Use lighter colours to brighten up the space, making it feel much larger than it actually is. Lighter colours will reflect more light and minimize the look of scratches or dents.Hang Artwork

Hanging a piece of artwork you love is the perfect way to elevate your kitchen. Go big and bold in whatever you choose, as it will create the illusion of a bigger space. Are you a renter and don’t have the freedom to paint or customize your home? Then this is an excellent solution for you.Change Lighting Fixtures

Excellent for changing the mood of your kitchen and brightening up the space, changing out your light fixtures is a simple task that makes all the difference. Whether you choose an elaborate chandelier or modern, minimalist pendant light, it will be an unexpected element that speaks to your personality.Paint-on Stainless Steel?

Do you have outdated appliance but not enough in the bank to replace them all with stainless steel ones? Then a solution for you is to use a paint-on stainless steel finish! This will give your appliances, and overall kitchen, an updated feel without breaking the budget. Just make sure you’re using the right liquid for the right machine.Style the Nook

If you have a breakfast nook or a small, cozy corner in your kitchen design, spice it up with some throw pillows and a blanket. If you have a small table, add a centrepiece to make it look more inviting for guest or family members.Update Your Decor

Change out that old fake fruit bowl or unused cookie jar and replace it with something more modern. Made subtle changes that are also useful in the kitchen as opposed to cluttering up the space.Hide Smaller Appliances

Cluttered countertops are a surefire way to make any kitchen look smaller and unprofessional. That’s why we suggest clearing off your countertops, placing whatever rarely unused appliances you own in pantry or cupboard. For more frequently used appliances, store them below the counter for easy access on a daily basis.

At Woodhaven Kitchens, we provide our customers with good quality products that include kitchen cabinets, drawers, kitchen countertops, built-ins and more. Located in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, we strive to make sure our customers are 100% satisfied with our work. We’ll do our best to meet your expectations, walking you through the entire process, from kitchen design and construction to installation. Be sure to give us a call and get your project started today!

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Blog 9: Best Kitchen Innovation in 2019

There is hardly a realm of modern life that have stayed devoid from the influence of technology. There is no surprise that our home interiors are being largely influenced by the influx of technological products which aim to make our lives easy. Here are some of the best kitchen innovations that are making heads turn as homemakers gear up to make their kitchens even more functional and techno-savy.

Lighting

Technology lighting has become quite common in most modern houses. With lighting systems that embody a beautifully modern, functional and aesthetically pleasing feel to your home, most of these lighting systems work splendidly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Whether it is switching the lights on, dimming, changing colours or something else, one can easily integrate these kinds of features in the modern lighting system thanks to technological advancement. Whether you wish to have a brightly lit dining experience of a romantic date, you can change the ambience with a click of a button or a simple voice command.

Water monitoring system

Apart from washrooms, another area of your home that uses a lot of water is in the kitchen. Without even realizing, when water leaks and damages start to occur in your kitchen, you can be looking at substantial repair or replacement costs and high water bills. Thanks to a technologically advanced water monitoring system, you can stay aware of any water leaks and damages that may happen in your kitchen. This sophisticated device runs automated daily tests to ensure that your plumbing system is running efficiently. It also comes with a connected app that can help you monitor real-time usage and troubleshoot as soon as problems occur.

Smart display

If you have not used the smart display feature available with a technological product that offers multiple functions to home cooks, you are missing out on something incredible. With a smart display for home cooks, this Android powered device is powered with many features like step-by-step recipe cooking and IPX-5 water-resistance rating. You can even view personalized recipes and get updates on the latest recipes and cooking tips.

Wi-Fi enabled kitchen appliances

A Wi-Fi enabled kitchen oven is the world’s first-ever smart combination double wall oven that offers the facility to cook two different meals at two distinct temperatures. Talk about multi-tasking and faster cooking, nothing can beat the class and promptness that this oven brings to you. What more with an inbuilt cleaning mechanism, you can simply set the oven to self-clean once you are done. All in all, it makes your cooking quick, effective and mess-free.

When it comes to upgrading your kitchen, there are many new options available for homeowners today. Whether you are looking at saving time, getting more work done or automation, thanks to technology, today’s kitchen appliances can make your life supremely easy. If you are thinking about renovating your kitchen with the latest fittings, contact Woodhaven Kitchens Ltd., for a large range of innovative products that will make your kitchen look state-of-the-art and your cooking experience an easy affair.

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