Four Creative Ways to Maximize Kitchen Space

While smaller kitchens can feel cozy, they can quickly become cluttered and chaotic without proper storage space. Check out these simple tips to help expand storage opportunities and create a unique, welcoming space.

Make Use of Shelf Space

Adding a few simple shelves above kitchen cabinets or a window can add storage and display space for items not used daily, such as cocktail glasses or appliances like pressure or rice cookers. Shelves can even be added inside already built kitchen cabinets. Remodeling cabinets to make space for a few more shelves can help declutter counter space or relieve a disorganized pantry.

Incorporate a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island can solve many of the storage, function, and display issues of smaller kitchens. Skip the remodeling and convert a rollaway cart with drawers and shelves as the kitchen island. This also helps solve smaller floor space issues that can't accommodate an island in the middle of the kitchen. Kitchen islands can even provide extra seating when entertaining guests or can be used as an additional serving area.

Use Bright, Colorful Storage Containers

Embrace the open-air storage situation of a small kitchen by using colorful jars and containers to store everything from spices, napkins, utensils, and even produce. A variety of container shapes and colors can help complement the overall design while adding cheerful pops of color.

Put Open Wall Space to Work

Spacious walls can easily be converted as storage space. Use a magnetic knife strip to organize knives and hold other metal cookware and utensils. A pegboard can also be installed to hang utensils that would normally take up valuable drawer and counter space.

At Four Points Remodeling, we provide professional kitchen remodeling services, including custom cabinetry, to help you truly maximize your space. Our team helps clients throughout the Rochester, NY area design the kitchen of their dreams. Contact us online or call 585-385-0003 to get started today.

Which Bathroom Finish Is Right For Your Project?

 Remodeling can be an exciting opportunity to show off your creative endeavors, especially in the bathroom or other personalized spaces in your home. While this space is more private and can be overlooked in home renovations, choosing the right bathroom finish can complement the room beautifully. With endless affordable options, here are several bathroom remodel finishes that can enhance any design.

Chrome Finishes

Chrome bathroom remodel finishes tend to be more popular due to their affordability and sleek look. This finish is available in many options for bathroom appliances and is also very durable. Routine cleaning is a must for chrome finishes, as this material can easily pick up fingerprints and water spots with frequent use. Using household cleaning products or wiping down the surfaces with a clean towel will do the trick to keep your surfaces clean and glowing.

Polished, Satin, and Brushed Nickel Finishes

Nickel finishes come in three different styles, so you have plenty to choose from if you're designing a new bathroom. Polished nickel is the most expensive out of the three, looking very similar to chrome. Satin and brushed nickel finishes are quite similar in style; however, brushed nickel finishes have brush marks going in the same direction on the surface. Satin finishes are created with a particular treatment process to achieve a subtle, muted look.

Copper

Copper finishes, unlike others, have natural antibacterial properties that help keep the surface clean from wear and tear. These natural healing properties help scratches fade over time with no additional maintenance required from the homeowner. Copper also boasts a luxurious look and complements marble and granite surfaces.

Brass Finishes

Brass finishes easily align with a vintage aesthetic due to its classical look, with both polished and satin options. With gold’s rising popularity, brass is the cheaper option that can still successfully elevate an ornate design. Although it's more expensive than other common finishes, both polished finishes and satin finishes are very easy to keep clean and are durable, making this a great option for homes with young children.

Mixed Metals

As more bathroom remodel finishes rise in popularity, it's no surprise that a newer trend seen now is mixing metals. Sticking with neutral finishes such as chrome and white or brushed nickel and bronze can offer a space more dimension and personality.

When you're ready to give your bathroom a new look, talk to the Four Points Remodeling team. We help our Rochester, NY clients design beautiful new bathrooms and kitchens with the utmost quality and professionalism. Call 585-385-0003 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation today.

Six Tips to Give an Outdated Rochester Kitchen a Modern Makeover

A kitchen update can dramatically improve a home's appearance and function. To transform a space that's well past its prime into a beautiful modern kitchen, start with these six smart strategies.

Hardware Upgrades

Professional designers often recommend switching old fixtures for contemporary versions with appealing finishes. Copper, brushed gold, stainless steel, and matte aluminum can instantly upgrade the kitchen's faucet, range hood, drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and other metal odds and ends.

Colored Cabinets

Sleek white farmhouse cabinets have been a kitchen mainstay for a few years now. While that look will always be a classic, painted cabinets give new cachet to kitchen storage. Update existing cabinets with styles in warm gray, sage green, royal purple, or even robin's egg blue. For a trendy effect, don't be afraid to go bold with color in the kitchen.

Timeless Flooring

Vinyl and linoleum floors are popular in the kitchen because they're affordable, low-maintenance, and easy care. However, these designs don't stand the test of time as well as their more durable counterparts. Give your kitchen long-lasting appeal by choosing stone, tile, slate, or travertine. Homeowners can even find ceramic tile that looks exactly like real wood.

Contemporary Counters

New polymer and resin countertops are high-quality, attractive, durable, and easy to clean. Natural stone counters are available at every price point, with options that include granite, quartz, and marble. Both options offer an instant update for old vinyl or tile counters.

Smart Storage

Minimalist homeowners love the design and function of concealed storage. Clever cabinetry can hide everything from appliances to trashcans for a completely modern take on Swedish-inspired furnishings.

Those who prefer a more ornate aesthetic can take out the cabinets completely and replace them with open shelving that serves as a decorative element in and of itself.

Efficient Appliances

Consider going green when it's time to replace appliances. Choose Energy Star-certified models and switch fixtures for low-flow versions. Homeowners who are dedicated to the environment can take advantage of eco-friendly design features like integrated composting capabilities.

Talk to the team at Four Points Remodeling for professional kitchen updates in the Rochester, NY area. We help our clients design kitchens that work for their lifestyle and personal preferences. Call 585-385-0003 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation today.

Kitchen Renovation Tips for Large Families

Because eating is such a communal activity, the kitchen is where many families spend most of their time together. The kitchen has to work for the family, both practically and aesthetically. This can be a challenge for large families because most kitchens aren't designed to accommodate groups of seven, eight, or nine people. However, these kitchen renovation tips can help any family turn their kitchen into a beautiful, workable space.

Install an Island

Perhaps the most family-friendly improvement that can be made in the kitchen is the addition of an island. An island serves two purposes by providing another surface for preparing food and extra seating to accommodate people who can't fit at the table. Cabinets can also be added to an island for additional storage space.

Play With Height

When renovating their kitchens, families may want to have a few countertops that are accessible to children who are old enough to make simple snacks for themselves and their younger siblings. Once the children outgrow the lowered spaces, they can be used as makeshift tables or coffee bars.

Safety First

The kitchen is one of the most hazardous areas of the home. It's filled with sharp objects, large appliances, and hot surfaces. Safety should always be the first consideration for kitchen installations for families with numerous children. Choosing countertops with rounded corners can help prevent painful bumps and bruises. It's also helpful to install safety locks on cabinets and drawers that children can reach. Slow-close hinges add another level of protection to prevent tiny fingers from getting hurt by cabinet doors. As most parents know, if kids can find it, they will get into it. So it's important to make the kitchen as safe as possible for the youngest members of the family.

Design Your Remodel Today

If you're considering making a change to your kitchen, Four Points Remodeling can design and build a space that works for you. Our expert designers and craftsmen have helped families in Rochester and the surrounding areas improve their homes. We can make your kitchen safe and functional for every member of your family. Take a look at some of our previous work by browsing our portfolio. To learn more about our services, call us today at 585-385-0003.

Three Ways to Use Shelves to Organize Any Bathroom

When it comes to storage and organization, many families struggle with space in their bathrooms. Whether they have a little clutter or a lot, shelves offer one way for homeowners to take advantage of unused bathroom space without sacrificing style or functionality.

Consider Open Shelves

It started in the kitchen, with designers displaying pretty dishes, glassware, and trinkets on open shelves as a minimalist alternative to cabinets. The design statement soon turned into a trendy way to make the most of wall space in the bathroom. Open shelves work in bathrooms of all sizes and can be installed anywhere: over toilets, above or below mirrors, as alternatives to vanities, and more. Nearly any shelving material works, so homeowners can easily undertake this project without a full bathroom redesign. But open shelves can easily become cluttered, so they’re best suited for the minimalists out there.

Get Creative

There are plenty of attractive shelving solutions for those dealing with clutter, including store-bought items. That doesn’t mean ugly plastic drawers; a ladder shelf, for example, is a functional yet stylish place to store towels, toiletries, and tasteful accessories in attractive baskets and containers. Store-bought drawer organizers and revolving trays can help with storage and organization out-of-sight, too. It’s easy to find chic, practical ways to avoid cluttered shelves and cabinets by thinking outside the box.

Take Advantage of Recessed Spaces

Recessed spaces don’t have to be wasted – they make the perfect place for built-in shelving units! Shelves can easily be installed in any small nook and cranny, which may be obvious or hidden behind drywall. Alternatively, built-ins can be created during a bathroom installation by adjusting the size of the shower. A remodeling company can help homeowners find shelving solutions based on their existing bathroom design.

Talk to the Pros Today

When you need more shelving or storage space, Four Points Remodeling can help your family find solutions. Whether you need bathroom storage or want to design your dream kitchen, count on us for home renovation services. Check out our portfolio for design inspiration, then call Four Points Remodeling at 585-385-0003 to start your next project!

Tips for Seamlessly Incorporating Appliances Into Your Kitchen Design

Designing the perfect kitchen can be a classic struggle between form and function. On the one hand, a kitchen is central to the life of a home and its inhabitants, so it should look beautiful and inviting. On the other hand, a well-equipped kitchen that can be used to whip up a wide variety of meals and then clean up afterward needs a good number of appliances and other equipment. The trick is finding the right balance with a clean, uncluttered space that still has all the necessary accessories.

Install an Island

A kitchen island is a great way to free up space for those appliances that are used every day like the microwave and coffee maker. In addition to being a place where appliances can live, an island can also be kept entirely clear for food prep. This way, there's no competing for space on countertops when trying to chop and prep for meals. Either way, islands spread out the clutter and make the kitchen seem more spacious. When designing an island, be sure to request that electrical outlets are numerous and easy to reach.

An Appliance Garage

From blenders and magic bullets to bread makers and pressure cookers, it's great to experiment with all the fun kitchen toys out there. Chances are, however, that they won't all be in use at the same time. A good design solution can be having one large cabinet or drawer somewhere out of the way, like above the refrigerator, that houses all these appliances. They can be pulled out and used as needed and put back in their mini-garage afterward. This helps keep the design of the kitchen clean and simple.

In-Drawer Outlets

One thing that many companies offering kitchen design services have started popularizing is the use of outlets inside pull-out drawers or cabinets. This allows things to be plugged in and in use without taking up space on the countertop. Having an outlet inside a drawer is especially useful for charging devices like cellphones, iPads, etc., without leaving them lying out.

Four Points Remodeling provides kitchen design services that can deliver the kitchen of your dreams. Not only do we design kitchens, but we also install them, so you can be sure that nothing is lost in translation. Check out our portfolio of recent kitchen projects or read testimonials from happy customers to get an idea of what we can do for you. When you're ready to start a conversation about your ideal kitchen, give us a call at 585-385-0003 to speak to one of our design specialists.

How to Create a Rustic Kitchen Design

The term "rustic" is often used when it comes to home design, but how does one actually achieve the style? These key elements of a rustic kitchen will create a simple, homey space reminiscent of the warm and inviting countryside.

Dark Wood and Warm Colors 

In order to create a rustic kitchen design, it's helpful to think of the kitchen area as the hearth of the home. A hearth is traditionally where families once gathered to prepare and enjoy freshly cooked food or spend time around the fire. To recreate this feeling, use dark wood surfaces and pops of warm colors like red, orange, or a sienna brown to mimic embers and flames. These colors don't need to make up the entire color scheme of the kitchen, but relying on dark brown furnishings and orange or red accents such as brick can make it seem like the kitchen radiates warmth.

Include Stone Elements

Similarly to how pops of warm colors can create the image of fire, stone elements will remind visitors and family members of a simpler time long ago. Many rustic kitchens include walls made of tumbled river rock or flagstone floors. For a more modern twist on the rustic aesthetic, homeowners can opt for classic countertops made of quartz or granite.

Distressed Paint Finishes

The thought of chipped paint may make many homeowners shudder, but purposefully chipped or distressed painted surfaces can provide a homey, comfortable, and rustic appearance in kitchens. It's easy to go on a treasure hunt for worn furniture pieces at antique stores or flea markets or to create a distressed finish using paint. These and any other rustic elements can also be added to a bathroom, bedroom, or any other space to tie the home's design together.

Any good remodeling project begins with one thing: a thorough plan! Whether you're interested in achieving a rustic appearance or any other type of design, call Four Points Remodeling today at 585-385-0003. Our services include design, construction, and installation, so you can work with one company for your entire renovation!