Finding Your Kitchen Style

Committing to a specific style of kitchen can be an overwhelming decision to some. It's not only an expression of your personal style it is also a reflection of the overall architecture and design of your home. So when you begin the process of selecting the style of your kitchen, make sure it fits in seamlessly to its existing environment. In other words - an old-world Tuscan style kitchen would stick out like a sore thumb in a sleek and streamlined contemporary home.

Classical Style Home:Shaker, country or traditional style cabinetry - stained maple or painted wood kitchen cabinets in green, blue, cream or grays. Keep the cabinetry design simple and avoid heavily decorated embellishments. Wood floors, and fireplaces are characteristic of Colonial designs. Natural counter top materials such as soapstone, limestone (dense) and butcher block will lend some authenticity to the kitchen. Install simple backsplash tiles without patterns and too much detail.While choosing materials for the kitchen can be difficult, take it step by step and you'll get there. Start with the countertop and cabinet finish. Once you have those chosen, select a material for your floor. Then choose your backsplash and wall and ceiling paint colors. This process will help you get everything chosen more quickly, so you can get through the construction a little sooner, and then to enjoying your new kitchen.Choosing the Right CountertopsHow to Select Backsplash MaterialsA person needs to have a sense of aesthetics for making the decorative tile look visually pleasing. The tiles need to match with the color of the flooring and wall of the kitchen. If a person is not sure about selecting the right type of tiles he can talk with an interior designer. The web is a very good resource for finding various types of tiles that can be used in kitchen and other areas of a house. Many companies sell the tiles online and they have online catalogues where people can see the products and compare them side by side.Often the first thing I consider for flooring choices are the same materials on the floor of adjacent spaces. If there are hardwoods in nearby rooms, a good solution can be to extend the wood into the kitchen. This is especially true in a smaller room, where continuing the same flooring material will usually make a space look larger. If you do not want wood floors in the kitchen, then choose a tile that is a similar color value to the adjacent wood floor, so the transition is not harsh and it does not separate the space. A resilient material like cork can be an excellent choice for the kitchen as it is slightly soft underfoot and is more forgiving if you drop a dish on it. Natural materials like Marmoleum are also great and a good 'green' choice.So how do you know which kitchen style best suits the style of your home? Consider these guidelines when doing your research.Arts and Crafts Style Home:There are many countertop materials to choose from, many people simply just don't know where to start. There is also a sizable price range even within one material (such as stone). For an affordable option consider plastic laminates such as Formica. There are some sophisticated patterns and colors available today that when paired with a tile backsplash and well selected paint colors can look very good together. There are also new edge details that eliminate seams that can get damaged.Other new choices are countertops made with glass, paper, and concrete. Many of these are fine for kitchen use, but some will not be durable enough over time. If you are using a material that is not time tested inspect an installation that has been in use for some time..I always advise my clients to research all the kitchen design magazines - on and off line - and to focus on the specific styles of kitchen cabinets, counter tops, back splash materials, flooring and appliances that really speak to you. Creating that inspiration file will serve as your starting point - in fact, you'll begin to see your design style begin to emerge.For some reason the backsplash is often the hardest material choice for people to decide upon. But the backsplash is one area that can have a big visual impact and help tie the design together. If you're having trouble choosing a material for the backsplash, look to the other surfaces in the kitchen for inspiration. In a more contemporary kitchen, choosing a stainless steel backsplash that matches your stainless steel appliances can be a wise decision. For a less expensive choice, consider plastic laminates that look like stainless steel that can even be installed by a do-it-yourselfer (but resist the temptation to use these on countertops because many are not rated for horizontal surface use). Glass tile can be another good choice to tie together different color materials. There are so many different glass tiles available today it can be challenging to choose one. A safe place to start is by choosing a glass tile that pulls colors from your countertop. Other material you may consider are sheets of glass, plastic laminate, stone tile, ceramic tile, or even wood (painted or sealed, of course).

Whether you're traditional or contemporary always pay attention to the integrity and the architectural style of your home - and borrow elements from a few of them to represent your kitchen style.

Author: Lori Gilder