Choosing a kitchen countertop material takes into account several factors including your lifestyle and cooking needs, durability, and appearance.  From natural stone to man made solid surfaces, there are a myriad of options to choose from and there is one that will be the perfect choice for your kitchen.

• Natural Stone countertops are a durable, attractive option that has become increasingly popular in homes.  Granite is available in a wide variety of colors, ensuring that there is one that will coordinate with your kitchen color scheme.  It is necessary to seal granite every 10 to 15 years to prevent staining, and you must clean granite with a specially made stone cleaner.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Plastic Laminate is a budget friendly countertop option that stands up the toughest of kitchens.  It is made of layers of recycled paper and resin placed between clear plastic and mounted onto fiberboard or plywood.  You can clean plastic laminate with most any household cleaner which makes it an easy to maintain option as well.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Solid Surface countertops are man made materials that are made to resemble natural stone.  The advantage that these manufactured countertops have over real stone is their durability and resistance to damage.  Solid surfaces are not easily stained or scratched, and when they are, they are easy to repair by sanding or filling the offending area.  Almost any stone can be recreated in a manufactured surface, and the cost is similar to that of granite.

Photo: My Home Ideas

There are also less commonly used countertop options that have their advantages, such as tile, wood, stainless steel or concrete.  These can make for a great look in a kitchen from the country to the contemporary, though each tends to be a little less family friendly.   Whether you choose a natural material or a manufactured material, there is sure to be a perfect countertop to meet your needs in function and style.

Though typically seen as a country kitchen accessory, pot racks can be taken from the rustic to the sleek depending on the decor of the kitchen.  Pot racks are a great way to get pots and pans out of messy cabinets, cluttered counters, and up to eye level and within easy reach.  No matter what the look of your kitchen, you can find a pot rack to suit your style.  Wooden or iron, simple or ornate, straight lined or organic, there’s a pot rack for your needs.  Invest in beautiful bronze pots for a traditional look or hang your shiny stainless steel.  These pots racks are an attractive and practical look for the kitchen.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: My Home Ideas

Accent lighting in the kitchen is a great way to update your kitchen.  Not only does it add a touch of ambiance but it can serve to light up your workspace.  Under cabinet, in cabinet, and above cabinet lighting will warm up the look of your kitchen and provide a bit of homeyness that you can’t achieve with overhead lighting.

The warm wood tones of these contemporary cabinets are brought out by downward lights that cast a geometric and sophisticated glow.  The subtle lighting also brings out the polish and sheen of the countertops and floors.

The rich red of this kitchen already created a room that seemed warm and welcoming, and the soft yellow light makes this an inviting place to spend your evening.

Lighting the area above the cabinets with spotlights can make your ceilings seem higher.  The lights create a grand look that emphasizes the molding on the cabinets as well as the ceiling.  The lighting in the cabinet shows off the glass cabinetry and pretty glassware withing the cabinet.

The under cabinet and in cabinet lighting in this kitchen reflect off the tile backsplash and the glass cabinet doors to make this kitchen seem to glitter with light.  This sort of accent lighting is a fabulous effect at night.

For a fairly inexpensive weekend project, kitchen accent lighting can make a huge difference in the look of your kitchen.  Whether you choose above cabinet, under cabinet, in cabinet lighting, or some combination of the three, the results will make a warm and welcoming place to gather the family every day.

If you are building a new house or just renovating your kitchen, one of the big decisions to be made is what type of flooring to put in your kitchen.   Tile, wood, vinyl, and stone are all appropriate choices for different people.  How do you know which is the right one for your home?

While it will not last for generations, vinyl is  a good option for those looking for an option that will be inexpensive and easy to install yourself.  Vinyl can be tricky around the edges and at seams of a pattern.  You will have to take great care to cut very carefully and match the repeat of the pattern perfectly.  Vinyl is best for those looking for an interim flooring that will last them until they are ready to make a bigger investment.

Tile comes in a wide variety of looks.  You can get tile to look like almost any type of stone and in any color imaginable.  Make sure to have a professional installer measure so that you buy the exact amount that you need.  Dye lots can vary in color from day to day and if you come up short, it could be difficult to match your tile on a future trip to the supplier.  Tile is extremely durable and if a tile does become chipped or break, it is possible to replace it.  Installation can be expensive but is worth it because of the precise nature of laying tile patterns.  Glazed tile will stand up to stains much better than unglazed, so it is a better option in the kitchen.

Stone is one of your most durable options for the kitchen, and though it can be expensive and installation must be done by a professional, it will last for generations.  It is a beautiful, timeless look, but is not the best option for children or the elderly because when it becomes wet, it becomes extremely slippery.

Wood is a wonderful option because it can often be carried over from the other rooms in the house and contribute to an open flow throughout your home.  Wood is an extremely strong, durable material that will last the life of your home as long as it is kept in good shape and refinished when necessary.  One of the drawbacks is that it will show wear and tear in the finish in high traffic areas.

Each type of flooring has pros and cons, so it is important to make a decision based on your ability to invest at this time and just how durable of a floor you will need in your kitchen.

The kitchen table is often one of the most used pieces in our entire home.  It is truly the definition of a multi-tasking piece.  From science projects to bills to catching up with friends to actually eating, the kitchen table takes us from morning to night.  Because we spend so much time with this one piece of furniture,  it is essential to choose a table that meets both our needs and our style.  With practically unlimited choices in aesthetics and size, how does one begin the process of selecting the right kitchen table for their own home?

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Measure the size of your kitchen or breakfast nook.  You will want at least on each side of the table where there will be chairs.  Anything less makes it difficult to push the chair out.  Ideally, you will have more in the range of 3 feet, but this is not possible in all spaces.  A small round table fits nicely if you have a large, open kitchen and plan to break the space up with the table towards the middle.  A rectangle is nice when you are trying to separate a living area from the kitchen.

Photo: House to Home

How many people will typically dine at your kitchen table?  A small round table is a nice look, but is only practical for very small families.  If you have more than four people dining on a regular basis, then you should consider a rectangular table.  Do you need ample room for serving dishes in the middle of the table?  This will be an important consideration when choosing a table width.  Remember you can always get a table with additional leaves if large groups occur, but are a rarity.

Consider what kind of activities will be taking place at the kitchen table on a regular basis.  If you have children that will often do their homework, crafts, and playing at the table, then you will want to pick a table with an extremely durable top.  There are tables with marble, tile, and polyurethane coated woods that will stand up to all sorts of marks and spills.  If you have a contemporary style, you could even go for a plastic or metal style.  Whatever material you choose, you just have to remember that you do not want to buy a table that you have to tiptoe around.

Photo: Veranda

Lastly, you will want to decide on a style.  There are endless options available on the market today.  Depending on the style of your kitchen, you could do anything from a rustic, farmhouse table, to a french country pedestal table, to a contemporary, clean lined plastic table.

Photo: Hickory Chair

As one of the most versatile pieces and biggest investments that you will make in your home, it is worth sitting down and giving thought to the considerations that go into choosing the right kitchen table.  You’ll end up with an attractive and functional table that takes you from morning to night and from reading the paper to sneaking a late night snack.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, the place where friends and family gather for good meals and good conversation.  Follow the tips below to create a kitchen that welcomes and encourages guests to feel at ease.

1.  Try to center the stove as much as possible.  If you have an island, this is the perfect placement.  It lends itself to creating a center for conversation without leaving out the cook.  Meal preparation can be a great place to spark up a conversation.

Photo: Elle Decor

2. Pick warm, cheerful colors for the kitchen.  Try a bright yellow, orange, pink, or red.  These colors stimulate the appetite and encourage energy among your guests.

Photo: Sunset Magazine

3. Pay attention to the little details that can make your kitchen a more comfortable place to linger.  Potted plants or herbs, fresh fruit bowls, cookie jars all are nice touches that make guests feel at home.  Add those special details while avoiding clutter.

Photo: House Beautiful

4. Nice place settings will make serving meals more peaceful and organized.  They do not have to be expensive; crisp, white plates can make a huge statement and make your food stand out.  Presentation can make your kitchen a welcoming place to eat.

Entertaining starts in the kitchen and creating the ideal home for welcoming guests, friends, and family depends on the tone you set in the kitchen.

Continuing on our kitchen theme from last week, today we’re going to look at helpful ways to increase organization in the kitchen.  With all the spices, pots, pans, and other cooking supplies that take up space in our kitchens, it’s no wonder that we often have trouble finding adequate storage and organization in our kitchens.  Below are some great ideas for sneaking a little bit of sanity into our homes.

If you find yourself entertaining guests often, open shelves can be a great idea.  It allows guests to find meal preparation and serving pieces without constantly asking you.  This makes life easier for both!

Small filing drawers are the perfect place to keep recipe cards in order and within reach.

Don’t underestimate the power of store bought drawer organizers.  This drawer uses organizers to store spices at an angle, making sure they stay in place with easily read labels.

Built-in cubbies are a practical and attractive way to store wine.  The perfect bottle will be right there when you need it.

With a little ingenuity, there are endless ways to incorporate storage that is both extremely functional as well as design savvy.

Photos: Traditional Home

The white kitchen is a timeless, classic look.  Whether it is accented with pops of color, such as blue, or kept completely neutral with stainless steel and light wood, it is a fresh look for the home.  Below are several photos of beautiful white kitchens, from contemporary to country to traditional to nautical to outdoor.  It is a theme which one can play upon in a wide variety of ways.

Photos: Traditional Home

Here’s a before and after which shows the dramatic difference that lighting and finishes can make in the warmth and mood of a room. Enjoy!

This kitchen started out drab and dated.  The stark white of the ceiling contrasts too much with the yellow of the walls and draws attention to the short cabinets.  The lighting is too typical.

This kitchen became an entirely new room with several major changes.  The cabinets were replaced with a dark finish and taken all the way to the ceiling, adding major drama and height.  The boring tile countertops were replaced with luxurious granite. A furniture-like island in the middle makes the room seem cozy and provides a great workspace.  Recessed lighting, a neutral color that mimics the walls, and simple light fixtures create a warm light.

Another great detail is the slate landing before the front door; it’s beautiful and practical as is stands up to the traffic of coming and going far better than hardwood.