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You don’t want kitchen remodeling regrets plaguing you after you finally finish your renovation project. You can take steps to avoid these by learning from the mistakes of others.
Below are the five top complaints we hear from homeowners who come to Swirl Woodcraft for help fixing a kitchen remodel gone wrong.
So many homeowners rush through the renovation. It’s understandable — you see the “before” picture every day and you’re in a hurry to get to the “after” picture. That’s normal. But don’t push forward so quickly that you don’t take the time to review all decisions carefully.
Certain decisions should be given extra time, such as the type of counter stone you want and the right floors for your kitchen. But you should also enjoy the process! It’s not every day you get to experience a transformation in your home.
There are many construction mistakes you can overcome, but bad appliance placement is not one of them. If your refrigerator is 12 steps away from your stove, you will never be able to reconcile this imbalance in your cooking flow.
You want a work triangle composed of your refrigerator, stove and sink — it’s just good design. Get help from a professional if you need assistance making it work in your space.
Whatever you do, don’t sit down and try to make all your decisions at once. Not only does this relate to the first pitfall — rushing through the process — it can also lead to you making decisions out of order. You might fall in love with one cabinet color, but should this dictate the rest of your design choices? Maybe not.
Follow a sequence when you’re making kitchen remodeling decisions. It starts with determining budget and overall goals. Then you should worry about layout. Next, choose cabinets and flooring at the same time. After that, choose sinks, faucets, lighting, then counters. It might not be the sequence you would have followed, but that’s the best route to take.
Any remodeling project can quickly be overtaken by high costs. Don’t let this happen to you. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of “must-have,” but you should only spend on upgrades that are important. In our minds, custom cabinetry is one of those upgrades. There’s no substitute for the beauty of handcrafted wood.
Given the prevalence of kitchen remodeling budget nightmares, many homeowners try to go the cheap route, and this can result in dissatisfaction with the final results. Be prepared to invest enough to achieve your goals — don’t go halfway.
Swirl Woodcraft has lots more tips on renovations and additional kitchen remodeling regrets we can help you avoid. For insider expertise and quotes on custom cabinetry for your new kitchen, just give us a call.
Custom kitchen cabinets are the upscale ideal for your kitchen remodel.
Renovation projects can be time-consuming and costly, so you want to be sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. This is why custom kitchen cabinets are appealing. You don’t have to fit your kitchen design around stock cabinets. Use your space however you’d like, and a custom cabinetmaker can do the rest.
While you plan your remodel, take care not to fall prey to any of the three common myths below about custom kitchen cabinets. Go into the renovation process fully informed about what to expect.
Is custom really worth it? While custom clearly delivers flexibility on the design front, does it deliver on looks as well? Will your custom kitchen cabinets truly look “custom”?
If you hear or read that refacing your cabinets or going with stock cabinets instead will deliver the same results, just at a lower price, don’t believe it. There is no mistaking the high-quality craftsmanship of real wood custom cabinets, and it immediately elevates the room.
Custom cabinets can take time to create. Visit a custom cabinetmaker early when planning your renovation. You may have to wait for them to finish another project before they can begin yours. Further, creating cabinets to spec takes longer than cranking out a one-size-fits-all version in a factory.
Quality craftsmanship takes time, and depending on the materials and finish you choose (and the size of your kitchen), this means a minimum of about six weeks.
If you decide to cut costs in the midst of your kitchen renovation, watch where you trim the budget. Don’t try to save money by installing your custom cabinets on your own. The installation is arguably one of the most critical points in the process, and it’s not a task you should take on yourself.
In addition, don’t try to handle the kitchen design on your own either. Get the input of a general contractor and possibly even a kitchen designer before you send your cabinetmaker the final measurements. Once the building has started, it’s difficult to impossible to change the blueprint.
Swirl Woodcraft crafts custom kitchen cabinets that stand out and amaze. They’ll help you create the elegant, authentic style that is your one-of-a-kind design. Consult with us today about your renovation plans and we’ll provide a quote for your new kitchen.
The cabinet wood you choose can have a major impact on how your kitchen or bathroom looks. When you’re making the investment in custom cabinets, it’s even more essential to choose your materials wisely.
Of all the types of cabinet wood you could select, each offers a different finished look. Because of this, it can be difficult to predict whether the cabinet face you choose will appear the same in your home as it does in the showroom, but this natural aspect is what makes wood cabinets so attractive.
Each of the following six cabinet wood options varies in price based on its availability and whether it is fast or slow growing. Each kind also has specific trademark features.
Maple is a popular cabinet wood choice because it is readily available and not too expensive. Because it has a fine grain and smooth texture, it’s ideal for stain or paint. It is one of the hardest woods and ranges in color from a pale white to a deep cream.
Birch is a medium hardwood that looks similar to maple, but it’s typically less expensive. It can be stained to look like cherry as well, so it’s the ideal cabinet wood if you are renovating on a smaller budget but still want a high-end look.
Oak is one of the hardest and heaviest types of wood used for building cabinets. It has a rougher, coarser texture than other wood types, and it comes in a variety of colors, from white to red, and the grain will show up clearly.
One of the more expensive woods for cabinets, cherry is a high-end, warm, rich option. It’s used in both contemporary and classic designs, as it can be stained in a variety of shades to bring out different color variations.
Alder is a knotty, smooth wood with a tight grain, ranging in color from light brown to a richer, reddish shade. It’s a softer wood, though still able to hold up to the wear and tear cabinets must undergo. As it’s exposed to sunlight, alder gradually lightens over time.
Hickory is a dense and strong cabinet material, mostly known for its dramatic variation in grain, even within the same cut of wood. Hickory brings a rustic, traditional look and a unique character.
Choosing your design starts with selecting the cabinet wood that will deliver the function you need and the appearance you prefer. There is no better place to start your search than at our showroom. With our endless combinations of stains, colors, cuts and hardware, you can find the style you’re looking for, or simply get inspired at Swirl Woodcraft.
If you’re looking into DIY cabinet staining for your next weekend project, you’re probably fed up with the way your kitchen looks right now. Maybe the paint is peeling. Maybe there are stains that just won’t come out. You’re ready for a change, either for your own enjoyment or to increase the home’s aesthetic appeal to a potential buyer.
Either way, before you invest hours of time in research and hundreds of dollars (or more) in tools and supplies, we think you should carefully consider whether DIY cabinet staining is right for you. Could there be a better way to use your money?
At first glance, it might seem like you’ll save substantially on DIY work versus any other option, from professional resurfacing to cabinet replacement. And you may be right — the hard costs will likely be lower.
But think about the time you’ll have to spend on the project.
If your cabinets are in good condition except for their exteriors, they are good candidates for this type of renovation work. As long as you have the know-how, you can likely complete the project in a few days.
On the other hand, if this is your first time taking on DIY cabinet staining, think carefully about the commitment. From take-down to sanding to staining and finishing, there are many steps involved. Any error could set back your timeline or not deliver the result you want. Is it still worth it when you consider the time you’ll have to put in?
Another obstacle that commonly faces first-time DIY cabinet renovators is that their cabinets aren’t quite fit to be refurbished — they need to be replaced.
Defects like warping and water damage can make the actual cabinet boxes difficult to salvage for use in a re-facing project. When you run into these issues, it will severely affect the quality of the result.
Before you decide to go all in on DIY cabinet staining as a way to revamp your kitchen, make sure to conduct a full assessment of your cabinets’ condition. Also, consider getting a quote for replacement, then comparing that to the cost of repairs and the projected results of each.
At Swirl Woodcraft, we want to do what’s best for our clients. We use high-quality materials and impeccable craftsmanship to build your dream cabinetry. If you’re finding that DIY cabinet staining isn’t in your wheelhouse, looking for alternatives should start with our team. We are here for you, ready to provide a custom quote for what you need.
Finding enough space for kitchen cabinets can be tough. It’s a job that’s made harder with an open concept kitchen design. The trend has lasted, and many homeowners renovated their spaces to achieve this look. However, the lack of storage this design concept creates can lead to frustration.
Is it possible to maintain your open-concept design but add more kitchen cabinets in a way that solves your storage problems? Below are some of our ideas.
Sometimes drawers are better than cabinets. Since cabinets need organization to create efficient storage space, it may be better to replace them with custom drawers sized to fit the items you need contained, from placemats to glasses to dessert plates. A skilled cabinetmaking team like Swirl Woodcraft can offer you plenty of custom options based on your needs.
The toe-kick, which is the area underneath the cabinets, doesn’t have to be empty space. It’s possible to create shallow drawers here and ideally use them to store items such as cookie trays, muffin tins and cutting boards. It’s another great way to make the best use of the square footage you already have.
This might seem obvious, but if you don’t already have one, invest in a kitchen island if you have the space. An island adds counter space, plus you can custom-design kitchen cabinets beneath to fit all the items you can’t find homes for elsewhere.
Sometimes you have to go outside of the kitchen’s shape to build the cabinets you need for storage, but that’s OK. Think about the supplies you use only a few times per year, like your holiday dishes or your roasting pan. It’s possible to create a built-in buffet or hutch along a kitchen wall to give you storage for things you don’t need all the time but would like to still keep around.
Here’s another idea: What about a coffee nook table with kitchen cabinets built underneath, but in the dining room? It can be a helpful storage solution.
At Swirl Woodcraft, we have a passion for cabinetry that exhibits craftsmanship and provides functionality. This dual purpose is at the heart of what we do. Make your home your own and find the space for more kitchen cabinets with our help.
Custom cabinets are more than a singular decorative element. They can be a defining feature of your redesigned space!
Whether you’re focused on adding built-ins around the fireplace, a new vanity in the master bathroom or a gorgeous gourmet kitchen, custom cabinets can astonish in the context of the final product. And Swirl Woodcraft can help by building custom cabinets that are uniquely you.
Have you ever walked into a home and immediately loved the woodworking design on the cabinets or built-in shelves? Of course, there is a difference between loving the concept and loving the design. It’s important to think about not only what your eye is drawn to, but what you could see installed in your own home.
Look through our portfolio to get ideas — we’re happy to work off past blueprints or create a new design.
Corbels are carved arches that were created to support architecture but today are used primarily as a design element. You can place them in a wide range of locations in cabinet design — under cabinets, shelves, counters and more. They are a beautiful and decorative way to set your custom design apart.
If you want your cabinetry to feel more like a piece of furniture, add legs. You can put legs on each island corner or on either side of a pop-out cabinet that houses an appliance. It gives a feeling of stability and permanence to the kitchen, emphasizing a timeless, classic design.
Crown molding that merges the cabinets and the ceiling is a gorgeous touch that can add to the elegance of your kitchen. You can also build in valances that encase windows and continue the flow of wood cabinetry around the entire room. Sometimes it’s the little details like molding or valances that create a truly unique final product.
Communication is key to any productive working relationship, and that’s where the team at Swirl Woodcraft excels. We want to hear about you — what you like, what you don’t and what you envision for your home.
When you choose Swirl Woodcraft, you’re choosing a team that has the ability to bring your ideas to life. We work with Utah homeowners to create beautiful custom cabinets for the kitchen and all areas of the home that perfectly align with their style, design preferences and ultimate unique vision for their space.
Invest in custom cabinets from master woodworkers with your best interests in mind: Swirl Woodcraft. Schedule your free consultation today.
A cabinetmaker consultation is the first step toward the custom kitchen design you’ve been dreaming of. It’s the chance to outline your wishes and hopes, but also discuss the realities of the space with your custom cabinetmaker.
It’s important to prepare for this meeting with care, making sure to consider a number of factors before you communicate firm preferences with your craftsman.
Think about your kitchen you now as well as past kitchens you have had. What have you loved and what have you hated? Do you take time with meal preparation or are you less of a chef and more of a host, with the kitchen serving as the hub of your gatherings?
Whether you’re more baker, entertainer or both, your investment in your new kitchen should resolve past frustrations and set you up for future satisfaction. Make lists to bring to your cabinetmaker consultation so you can work through the kitchen’s flow and function together.
Sometimes the easiest way to ensure your message is getting across is to show your cabinetmaker pictures. Do you have images of kitchen cabinets that speak to your preferred style? Gather these in advance so your custom cabinetmaking team can get a full, detailed picture of what you love and want to see in your home.
On a practical note, a thorough cabinetmaker consultation always involves a review of appliance placement and dimensions. This will dictate the measurement of surrounding cabinets, so it’s important. Obtain these measurements in advance, especially if you have already moved your appliances elsewhere for the renovation.
Budget — it’s one of the most important considerations of any renovation project, especially in the kitchen or bathroom. It’s helpful to have a starting point in mind when it comes to the budget, even if you aren’t sure how much the designs you like cost. Your cabinetmaker can help guide you, ensuring that your funds go toward the priorities that are high on your list.
Schedule a free cabinetmaker consultation with our gifted team and we’ll put together a vision for an upscale design that will transform your home. We’re great listeners, and we’re even better cabinetmakers. Swirl Woodcraft is here for you.
A custom cabinetmaker can deliver a beautiful finished product that is just what you imagined. With superior materials and detailed finishes, you get a look of refinement that adds value and ambiance to your home, whether you’re installing your cabinets in the kitchen, bathroom, living room or anywhere else.
Choosing the right custom cabinetmaker is important, because after all, this is a big investment, both financially and emotionally. You want the job done right and you want to see a return for your money.
Follow the five steps below when reviewing companies to hire for your project.
The most authentic proof of a company’s work is the opinions of its past clients. When reviewing a custom cabinetmaker, check out their online reviews and ask for references. Talking with past homeowners who have worked with them can give you insight into what the company values and if they are the right fit for you.
Ask for portfolio pictures that showcase their past cabinetry work. This can give you an idea of their style and capabilities and help you see whether you can picture their work in your space. It’s ideal to find a company with a range of styles so you aren’t limited in your design scope.
Ask the cabinetmaking contractor for a quote. They should provide a clearly itemized bid that details materials and labor. They should also be able to provide proof of licensure and insurance.
Make sure you don’t forget to ask the key questions in your search for the perfect custom cabinetmaker. Do you subcontract out any work? Do you craft just the cabinet boxes or the doors as well? Be inquisitive and get answers to all your questions. This will build your confidence in their abilities and help you decide on the right company to handle the project.
Make sure they can offer you clear drawings or renderings of their plans. See if they are detail-oriented. Can they match millwork to a current pattern or style? Are they able to see the cabinet through your eyes and translate your vision to their blueprints?
You want quality work, creativity and reputation. When the company has all three, they are a good pick.
At Swirl Woodcraft, we have a passion for our craft and we are excited to go above and beyond for our clients. If you’re looking for a custom cabinetmaker in Utah, view our portfolio and call us to schedule a consultation. We want to create for you.
Custom built-ins are a strategic, beautiful way to upgrade the look of your home and potentially help you fetch a higher sales price on the real estate market.
Whether you’re investing in custom built-ins for form, function or both, you can expect a payoff as soon as the final shelf is in place.
How can built-in bookcases add to your home’s value?
Custom built-ins epitomize stability, structure, longevity and character. When you’re looking to set your home apart from the rest, character is key.
This is especially helpful if your home is more modern or one of many similar homes in a subdivision. You can catch the eye of a homeowner perusing a crowded real estate market when you have something custom, something other houses don’t possess.
Built-in storage is always welcome, even in sleek, modern designs. Every homeowner needs storage space, and when a prospective buyer sees potential for their own belongings, you’re one step closer to a sale.
Using natural wood in your interior design is always smart. It offers a tie to the earth, and the glossy, superior finish says “high-end.” Every home buyer wants to feel like they’re moving into a palace, and custom built-ins can help send this message.
One of the top benefits of built-in bookcases is the reduced need for additional shelving. Your prospective buyers can do away with their bookcases, or save them for other areas of the home. They can use the common area for extra accent chairs or a larger couch, increasing the options for the main space.
Of course, no one design element by itself can transform your interiors alone. It takes a coordinated effort. Using lighting, wall art, furniture choices and textiles, you can make your custom built-ins the focal point of the room, but complement their appearance with many other features in a whole-room approach to design renovation.
We believe custom, handmade woodworking can be as timeless as the unforgettable words written in your favorite book. Custom built-ins are our specialty, and we take pride and pleasure in crafting beautiful designs from a wide variety of woods and styles for our many clients.
Your home isn’t complete without custom built-ins that speak to your statement style. With decades of experience, Swirl Woodcraft is the craftsman team you should call to bring your high-end design to life.
When you’re doing kitchen remodeling, questions are bound to come up. Your kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where family gathers at the beginning and the end of each day to share laughter, conversation and a hearty meal. It’s key to have a kitchen that functions and embodies an environment that aligns with your tastes. Your kitchen should accent your life and your design preferences.
When you’re embarking on a large-scale renovation, don’t let your contractor start work until you find out the answers to five key kitchen remodeling questions.
Make sure you and your contractor are on the same page when it comes to the goal of the project. Do you want to a new, modern look for your space? Do you want more natural light? Are you looking for a better, more functional flow?
Know the reason you are investing in a kitchen remodel, and make sure your contractor knows what you need accomplished in order to be happy with the finished product.
Don’t dip into your nest egg until you know your vision can be realized. If you anticipate headache-inducing building codes may inhibit your kitchen remodel, you might want to rethink your budget. This should always be investigated ahead of time. Make sure your contractor has a definite answer on what is and isn’t possible according to the law.
If you want to scrap everything in your kitchen, go right ahead! But what about the new cabinet hardware you just installed last year? What about the gleaming subway tile backsplash you still love?
You could save significantly by reusing or repurposing some of the fixtures that aren’t out of date.
A basement remodel doesn’t interrupt your daily life much, but a kitchen remodel? That’s a different story. When your kitchen is out of service, it’s a major inconvenience. If there is no way to cook, you need to budget for eating out, or at least stock up on plenty of microwaveable meals. Make sure you have a commitment from your contractor on the projected start and end dates. If they leave midway through to start a job with another client, you could wind up frustrated.
Sometimes contractors don’t tell the whole story in their quote. Make sure you know if demolition and cleanup are included. What about the final paint coat? Get a complete breakdown of the bid in order to accurately budget your costs and possibly find areas you can work on yourself to save money.
At Swirl Woodcraft, we know you have kitchen remodeling questions, and we also know that some of those questions involve cabinetry. It can be a puzzle to figure out how to situate stock cabinets appropriately to achieve the look you want. What if there were custom cabinets that fit your price point? Call us today and find out how we can help make your dream kitchen a reality with high-quality custom woodworking for your remodel.
