High Gloss Kitchen Doors

So, you are in the market for a new kitchen. There is plenty to consider before you embark on your project from the practical to the aesthetic. in this article we will explore the effect that choosing high gloss kitchen doors has on both of these considerations. Gloss finished kitchen doors can be both beautiful and hardwaring, but there are a few things you should know before making your choice.

Firstly not all high gloss kitchen doors are created equal. Basically you get what you pay for, as always in life. There are four types of high gloss finish that are widely used in kitchen door manufacture. They are, melamine, vinyl or PVC, acrylic and gloss laquer. As you move from melamine through to laquer the quality and price increases. Laquer has a much glossier, deeper colour finish then melamine which although is relatively hard wearing looks flat by comparison.

Secondly where you source your kitchen from will have an impact on the overall look and quality. It’s widely recognised that the best quality high gloss kitchen doors come from Europe, notably Italy, Germany and Scandanavia. Why this should be the case I don’t know, but it is true that these countries pioneered the look.

Clearly one of the biggest choices you will make apart from the material used in the door production will be the colour of your kitchen doors. What’s it to be, bold, striking primary colours or something more subtle. Part of your choice will be driven by the size of your kitchen and the amount of natural daylight available. Generally speaking it’s true that the bigger your kitchen the more daring you can be. I recently completed a design for a client where we broke the kitchen up into three distinct areas. In one we used burnt orange high gloss doors, opposite the we used zebrano finished cabinets and in the third area black gloss. These surrounded a white gloss kitchen island topped with an ice white corian worktop. Now, it sounds like this should not work but I can tell you that the end result was truly stunning. I think this means that you can be significantly more adventurous than you think, especially if you are going to be living in your property for years to come.

In addition to providing a truly stunning finish high gloss kitchen doors last longer than many people think. The finish is resistant to knocks and scratches and whilst it does tend to show finger marks a wipe with a damp cloth easily removes them ,leaving that lovely gloss finish to reflect the natural light throughout your kitchen.

So, in conclusion, choose wisely, be bold and have a kitchen to be proud of.

Kitchen design mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes when you renew your kitchen.

Inflexibility

Unless you have money to spare be flexible regarding materials and design for your new kitchen. For example, you’re on holiday in Rome and the beautiful tiles you find in the craftsman’s shop are perfect for your new dream kitchen. You can’t live without them, even though he has to chip the marble off the mountain by hand and each one takes three weeks to make, because they have fossilized leaves imprinted in them.

If you need two hundred tiles, stop dreaming and do the arithmetic. Three weeks, each one, two hundred tiles. Forget it. Buy everything he has on the shelf and leave the store. Use the fifteen you bring home in your suitcase as accents imbedded in the floor here and there, or in the tiling around the sink and keep them a beautiful memory.

Likewise, the German kitchen track lighting with special light bulbs which cast a delicate hue of light. Those light bulbs are so special and unique that they are only available in Germany!

Avoid difficult and over specialized items so that repairs and replacements don’t turn into logistical nightmares. All appliances, plumbing, electricity, and carpentry should repairable with no more then a few local phone calls.

Changing the Plans

Once work has begun, any change will cost you money even if materials are downgraded. This is because measurements have been calculated and materials ordered. Even a small change such as a two inch longer built in convection oven could mean that the hand cut granite worktop which is already installed and ready, has to be pared down on one side which means you lose a customized finish.

Be warned by the plight of those who changed so much in quest of the perfect kitchen that they abandoned their budget in the middle and ended up without the funds to finish. Living for years with an unfinished kitchen is not a very appealing option.

Over-Budgeting

Set a budget, then plan on spending 80% of your projected figure. Remember, no one ever pays less than the estimated amount; it always costs more. That 20% you held back from your budget will be used to cover the usual unforeseen circumstances which inevitably pop up such as minor changes, previously unperceived problems and other charges.

Using the Wrong kitchen fitter

The tradesman you choose should be an expert in kitchens, not roofs. Talk to people that have used a kitchen fitter you are considering within the last three months. Ask to see the work they did. Ask the right questions: Was he within his estimate? Did he finish on time? Did they keep the job clean and did they tidy up nicely afterwards? Were his workers polite, neat, clean, and on time? Are there any complaints? A little time spent on researching your contractor can save you a lot of headaches later.

Inaccuracies in Measurement

This shouldn’t be your problem at all, but frequently this common mistake is passed on to the customer’s wallet. Before you sign a contract, insist that the contractor take responsibility for any inaccuracies in measurement or factory flaws which often occur. Don’t settle for almost fits or good enough. They have to promise and deliver a finished result according to the specifications that were agreed on.

Throwing Money Out the Window

Don’t pay for a renovation in advance. Establish a payment plan with the majority of the balance paid after the work is completed. Evaluating the work as it progresses and testing the finished product is a great incentive for the contractor to please the customer.

Handing Over the Design of Your Kitchen to a Designer

Your new kitchen should reflect your taste, not the designers. Yes, the pink and yellow appliances are very stylish, and happy but maybe stainless steel or white is what you prefer. You are the best judge. Don’t let anyone convince you that what they want is what you need. Work with your kitchen designer to achieve the practical tasteful space that fits your needs and lifestyle. Ask to see a virtual model of the plans and stay involved throughout the design process.

Going It Alone

Ask your friends and neighbors about their renovations – what they like, what they don’t like. Solicit opinions from people you trust before and during the job. Ask the members of your family for ideas and suggestions about how to best utilize the workable space.

Investing Too Much

Yes it is your dream kitchen but practically speaking, even the most expensive kitchen renovations should not cost more than 20% of the current market value of your home. The average kitchen renovation adds only about 8% to market value. If you ever want to sell your home, an appealing kitchen is a big plus, but don’t throw all your money into it expecting an investment return.

And on the other hand, most experts agree that kitchen renovation done well is worth at least 5% of the value of your home. Under-spending may reflect in market value.

Indulging The Latest Trends

Resist the temptation to choose trendy designs which will make you queasy after you get over the pizzazz. Remember your kitchen is the heart of your home. Make wise choices with an eye on livability. The best strategy is practical, classic, timeless. We’ve all seen kitchens designed in the latest fashion. Nothing becomes as outmoded as yesterday’s modern look. Avocado green cabinets anyone? Mosaic daisies tiled into the walls? Also try to resist flamboyant displays of self expression. In the end, you will live happily ever after!

Think before you start!

Designing a kitchen can be fun. Undertaking a makeover any part of your house can be  interesting , but it is not without its pitfalls, of course. While many homeowners prefer to do everything themselves, many do not do enough research to avoid certain mistakes. Before your remodel the room in your home that your family spends the most time in, consider some of the most common mistakes.

Many people try to decorate their houses with someone else in mind. They think certain designs will look good because they saw them on television. Some people just want to impress the neighbours, who have come over a few times and seemed to judge the house as they walked in. However, while your neighbors or the people on TV might have a great kitchen design, theirs does not belong in your house. Instead of focusing on pleasing other people, make yourself happy with decorations that suit you, since you and your family will see them far more than anyone else will.

If you need to replace your countertops, consider how much space you want. If you cook often, you will likely appreciate a lot of counter space. However, if you are rarely in the area, and mostly just walk through the room, you need a wide open space rather than a lot of counter space. Many people do not think about how they will use the area, as they just assume all kitchens are alike. Now that you have a chance to change your kitchen design, tailor it to your habits.

Apply the same thinking to selecting the worktop materials. If you do not have a lot of time to maintain them, you can get low maintenance counters, such as those made out of laminate. However, if you take great pride in your countertops, and are prepared to keep them nice, you can choose from natural wood, granite, or stone since they all require some upkeep.

Many people forget about the amount of items in most cooking areas. You need plenty of tools and kitchen appliances to cook with, and you need somewhere to put them all. Do not forget to add a lot of storage space in the room, so that you can keep everything you need to cook nearby. This makes cooking much easier than if you have to store all your utensils and small appliances elsewhere. Plenty of kitchen drawers and cabinets can help anyone.

Remodeling your own kitchen design can have great results if you research first. Make some decisions that are unique to you before you start. After all, your family likely spends a lot of time in that room, so it should look nice and be comfortable to everyone.