28

Feb

How to Protect Your Kitchen Countertops

After you spend so many hours looking through magazines, bringing samples home, and checking the way they look under different lights, you have finally chosen your countertops. You have ordered them from the quartz countertop installer, paid for them, and are now just waiting for everything to finish. The hard part is protecting them from everyday use. With the time, work, and money you spent on acquiring the countertops, you want to be sure that you do what you can so they will always look clean, new, and fresh.

Among the first things, people or prospective buyers notice when they enter a home are the countertops. They come in different materials, each having its own care instructions.

Material

Most kitchen countertops are made of granite or quartz, and they normally have a polished finish making them beautiful, but delicate as well. Even if granite is tough, you should never cut onto the surface directly. You should be careful not to drag pots and pans on the surface because it can scratch the polished finish. Spills have to be immediately cleaned to avoid stains since granite is porous that can absorb liquid easily. Certain foods in particular – acids such as vinegar, citrus, and soft drinks – will leave etches in granite. You should use gentle washing detergent to dampen the cloth to clean the kitchen counter and not abrasive or harsh cleaners.

Do Not Use Your Countertop as a Step Ladder

Even if countertops are known for their durability, they might not have the strength to hold your weight as you look for a pot in the cabinet or change a bulb. In terms of safety, you should not stand or step on the countertops. If countertops become cracked or chipped, you should contact a repair company right away.

Wipe up Spills Immediately

Regardless if it is soda in the kitchen or a contact solution, you should clean up spills right away. When you leave them sitting on the kitchen counter, even for a couple of minutes, it will allow time for them to soak into the countertop and leave a residue.

Make Sure that the Stone is Properly Sealed

Stone countertops are popular for their low-maintenance nature. Therefore, a lot of people have the tendency to forget that many kinds of stone are porous and might absorb liquids that can lead to stains. You can avoid this issue if you periodically seal your counters. When you have the right products, sealing can be simple.

When you have soapstone counters, they never have to be sealed. Soapstone is extremely dense and will never absorb water. However, you might want to oil it to make sure that the stone patina is developed evenly.

Avoid Damage

There are a lot of things you can do to protect stone countertops and help prevent any damage. You should have your guests use coasters to avoid spilled liquids or drink rings. It is suggested that you place them out so that they can easily be accessed. This will also encourage your guests to use coasters, without getting prompted.

Another way you can avoid damage is to use pads that are heat-resistant. These handy kitchen essentials are excellent for pots and pans, together with casserole dishes, crockpots, and a lot more.

Even if this is given, it should be said that you must always use a cutting board when you prepare food. Sharp knives will leave etches on stone countertops, which normally cannot be repaired so you should be careful.

You can contact granite countertops Montgomery County MD anytime if you want to have the best countertops installed.

22

Feb

How to Pair Countertops with Gray Cabinets

Countertops are an excellent way to upgrade your kitchen and keep a lot of function, but it is better when they pair well with other kitchen design aspects. They are made of different materials and look better compared to others. In case you are battling between at least two countertop options, you should consider pairing them using the cabinets as part of the decision process.

When you go to a quartz countertops dealer, you will notice the advantages of having it installed in your kitchen. The gray and white combination provides an excellent match for dressing up the kitchen to how you like it. You can make things simple by adding more white and gray tones. Read on to learn more.

Match Accent Countertops

Countertops with a white background mix well with almost any color of kitchen cabinets. In addition, combining these colors make the space look larger than it really is. That is why white countertops work well in kitchens that are smaller. However, before you consider a white countertop, it is recommended that you choose a material that works best for your current lifestyle. For instance, if there are young children in your house, quartz might be a better option compared to choosing granite or another solid surface.

Black Countertops and Gray Kitchen Cabinets

On the opposite end of the color spectrum, black countertops are an excellent option when it comes to pairing with gray kitchen cabinets. With white, there are many kinds of countertops that can be bought in black, which include quartz, laminates, and natural stones like granite.

You can choose a black countertop or something with white flecks, metallic elements, or gray. In order to prevent your kitchen from looking very dark, there needs to be enough natural lighting, and flooring and wall coloring in a tone that is contrasting like light-colored or white wood.

Incorporate the Colors

If you want to incorporate color in the kitchen, you can choose gray cabinets that are paired with black countertops. Gray and black are chic colors that give your kitchen a very interesting look.

You can also choose dark brown cabinets and a white countertop. This look can be more rustic for your kitchen. You might want to choose a black countertop with gray cabinets for a whole different look. It is going to cut down how much light that comes into the kitchen, but also creates a modern look.

Monochromatic

In case you like tone-on-tone designs, matching countertop hues to the cabinets gives the kitchen an adaptable and cohesive style. The monochromatic look allows colorful accents to shine which includes décor items, appliances, wall paint, and more. The trick to achieving this look is choosing a color, and it is recommended that your kitchen cabinet door color is darker by one or two shades.

Granite Countertops and Kitchen Cabinets

Granite countertops already reigned as among the most popular choices. With superior durability and color variety, it is difficult to find a versatile countertop option. Regardless of your kitchen style, you will easily find granite that blends in well, even with gray kitchen cabinets.

You can combine gray and white, which is a granite option when you want to pair it with gray cabinets. Granite countertops in blue, black, brown, or even green shades can be an excellent match. You can combine it with the metallic accent you prefer for a look that is more cohesive and easy on the eyes. This way, you can work better in your kitchen.

Contact quartz countertop contractors Potomac anytime you want to change your kitchen countertops.

15

Feb

Tips for Achieving a Rustic Kitchen

When you create a modern rustic kitchen, the balance can be tricky, but it has the proper design elements and some creativity. You will be able to achieve the right blend of contemporary and rustic style. A modern rustic kitchen adds character and warmth to your home, while you feel fresh and contemporary. You can also incorporate quartz kitchen countertops when you pay for a renovation.

Rustic kitchens celebrate antiques and reclamation while highlighting beautiful materials. It is not surprising that they are one of the most sought-after kitchen ideas. Think of repurposed furniture, wooden cabinetry, antique hardware, and open shelving. It gives a functional look, leaning towards industrial, but it also keeps the inherent warmth from traditional kitchen ideas.

Go For Natural Materials

Using natural materials like wood, brick, and stone into renovating your home adds a rustic feel to your space. You can consider using reclaimed wood for backsplash, countertops, or cabinets. A stone wall or brick also adds character and warms up your space. You can have a lot of ideas when it comes to using natural materials.

If your kitchen has enough space, you can give the space an informal dining space.

Use the Empty Wall to Your Advantage

When you make coffee first thing in the morning to clean up dinner dishes when the night ends, you are going to spend a few hours every day in your kitchen.

Since it is among the busiest rooms in your home, you can bring in art pieces that you love. Art is not only for formal spaces and you should hang it where you will see it a lot. Hanging art on the wall feels fresh in the best way. If possible, you should hang pieces at eye level so you will have a focal point.

Add Color and Interest Using Reclaimed Tiles

It is important that when you collate rustic kitchen ideas, you should choose designs that keep the space warm. Exposed stone flooring and brick walls can cause the kitchen to feel unloved and cold. Color is an excellent way to inject warmth. Choose a palette that will evoke a fall garden and you will not make a mistake. Warm oranges, rich browns, and burnt umbers against a cream backdrop create a cozy environment.

Mix and Match the Finishes

Mixing and matching finishes add depth and interest to your kitchen. You should consider using a combination of paint finishes on the cabinets, or mixing two kinds of hardware, lighting fixtures, and more. For instance, pairing wood tones and cabinetry create a timeless look.

Stone Countertops and Organic Lighting

Similar to the delightful wooden cabinets that are a must in a rustic kitchen, you also have stoic stone countertops that are a must for any setting. You have to combine wood cabinets and stone countertops with exposed ceiling beams, cozy lighting, and brick walls that have a rugged charm to complete a relaxing rustic kitchen.

Painted Cabinetry

Painted kitchens have a moment. The traditional shaker-style cabinetry in a russet shade brings warmth to any rustic kitchen. Finding the best-painted kitchen ideas for your space breathes life back to dull cabinetry and it is easy to update it in the future.

When you pair it with wooden floorboards or a worn wooden table, it gets exposed to plaster walls so it counteracts with the modern look of the cabinetry. You can make a dark kitchen dark when you paint the window surrounding it with warm tones.

You can check qranite kitchen countertops Rockville anytime if you want to change your countertop for a more rustic design.