Kitchen Renovation - The Perfect Christmas Gift

How was your Thanksgiving? Surely it was as busy I am imagining, but that seems to be part of the tradition. But along with all of the rushing around, the Signature Kitchens family hopes you had an enjoyable holiday full of friends, family and good food.

Now that we have one holiday down, it's time to fully turn your attention to Christmas - arguably the biggest holiday of the year.

Kitchen Renovation in Northern Virginia

Kitchen renovation is a perfect Christmas gift to yourself. There is no better way to spruce up your home than to renovate the room that has the most foot traffic, and is often the most-used. Especially during the holidays, your kitchen is working overtime and the wear and tear from the busiest season of the year can leave a lasting impression on your kitchen. Don't go another year with a kitchen that needs an update!

Christmas is also a great time for kitchen renovation in Northern Virginia for homeowners that are looking to sell in the spring and summer months. The kitchen is usually the most visibly dated room of the home and homeowners often choose to update this room specifically for its high return on investment and its ability to sell a home.

For all of your kitchen renovation needs in Northern Virginia, contact Signature Kitchens!

Kitchen Remodeling Contractor Northern Virginia

Do you have a great idea for a kitchen remodeling project but don’t know which company to choose? There are an endless amount of kitchen remodeling contractors in Northern Virginia, so why should you go with Signature Kitchens?

ReCrafting: Kitchen recrafting is a unique service that we provide. Instead of traditional cabinet and drawer refacing, we call our service recrafting. That’s because we do more than just slap a vinyl cover on the outside. We use 100% real wood in all of our “refacing” services which means we essentially recraft their entire look. That means you get a product with higher quality, a better look, and at extremely competitive prices.

No Middle Man: Signature Kitchens designs, installs and even manufactures all of its pieces. Your kitchen remodeling contractor is your point of contact for the entire process and will guide you through each step of your kitchen remodeling project. You don’t have to deal with big box stores, designers, and contractors independently; we have simplified the process so you have all in one.

Location: Signature Kitchens has a showroom in Haymarket, Virginia. There you see how the cabinet recrafting process works and you will also be able to enjoy the selection of custom made wood cabinets. We pride ourselves on the quality of our product and know that you will be thrilled with our selection.

For more information on Signature Kitchens, visit our showroom in Haymarket, Virginia!

Kitchen Design Ideas for Fall

The colors of fall and spring are, to me, the most noticeable and welcoming. With that being said, home interior stores run wild during this time of the year with decorations. Not only does it create that cozy, homey feel that people love, but it is also a celebration of the season.

Kitchen Design Ideas for the Fall

Buying new furniture and decorations every year can certainly add up in the long run…or the short run depending on how much you like to shop. But there are certain elements of the home that can be updated to create that same feeling that home décor stores seem to capture.

According to HGTV, chairs are the most commonly updated item in the kitchen. They can easily be painted or reupholstered to match any season of the year.

Fall foliage is another great, and small, item that can capture the look and feel of autumn. For a cheap and effective kitchen design idea, just wrap some candles in corn husks, make use of pinecones, faux oak leaves and pumpkins (real or fake) throughout your home. If you’re feeling artistic, you can even make paper leaves and utilize them in fun and interesting ways in various rooms.

Candles and wreaths also spruce up the home. It is incredibly easy to find a candle that displays fall colors and the same goes for wreaths. Wreaths can often be made with pinecones or fall foliage and are also a great and affordable kitchen design idea.

For all of your kitchen design ideas, Signature Kitchens has the kitchen elements to match. From cabinets and drawers made of real wood to small and large elements that can transform your kitchen, Signature Kitchens in Northern Virginia is a fantastic choice when it comes to your kitchen remodeling project.

Visit Signature Kitchens showroom in Haymarket, Virginia today!

For more great kitchen design ideas from HGTV, click here

 

Kitchen Design Ideas for Autumn

There is something about Fall that I love and can never quite put my finger on it. After 6 months or so of being outside during spring and summer, the weather does everything it can to force us back inside. But when a home, and especially the kitchen, are decorated for the Fall season, being inside is homey, nostalgic, and even enjoyable. 

Kitchen Design Ideas

Fall colors, especially earth tones, have a comforting quality about them and give us memories of Thanksgiving and good food.

As many home owners in Northern Virginia are preparing for their kitchen remodeling projects before the winter, begin to think about your Fall decorations in the meantime. Once the kitchen remodeling project is complete, you will be left with a completely clean and probably empty kitchen. It’s like a clean slate.

Earth tones are great for placemats, candles, and other little accessories throughout the kitchen. A good friend of mine used small twigs and fake leaves to wrap around candle holders and even chandeliers to give that extra autumn look, and is a great, inexpensive kitchen design idea.

We would love to see how you have decorated your kitchen! Feel free to post any photos to our Facebook wall along with decorating tips and kitchen design ideas.

For all of your kitchen remodeling projects this winter, contact Signature Kitchens in Haymarket, Virginia.

Renting vs. Buying - Which is Best??

There is a new post on zillow.com, a search engine for renters and buyers to find homes, that talks about buying a home verses renting one. Typically, people are quick to throw up their hands and immediately claim that owning a home is, of course, the best choice. But much more should be going into that decision such as location, how long you plan on living in the area, and of course, your income.

Zillow tells us that there is a magical number called the “break even horizon” - the number of years you need to own a home before you are actually saving money. For most areas, that amount of time is somewhere between 2-5 years.

What does this have to do with kitchen remodeling?

Making the switch from renting to buying, you may think that you will be spending more money initially and then completely forget about the saving money part a few years down the road. But after the first couple of years, you can start using the money you saved by making home repairs such as kitchenremodeling or cabinet installation. Both of these items provide a great return on investment for a home, which will save you even more money if you plan on selling the home in the future.

If you are moving into your first home and want to update your home with a kitchen remodeling project, rest assured that the money you will save in 2-3 years will pay for the kitchen remodel or cabinet installation. Moving into a home that has been around for some time, the owners will often choose kitchen remodeling as their first major project as that can be the most noticeably dated room in the house.

To learn more about our kitchenremodeling services in Northern Virginia, contact Signature Kitchens in Haymarket, Virginia!

Kitchen Design Ideas This Football Season

Summer is almost over, unfortunately. We are only one month away until school is back in session for a number of Northern Virginia students. But with the end of summer means the beginning of fall, and with the beginning of fall, we also get football.

Football season will soon be consuming the Northern Virginia area as hopes of the Washington Redskins latest prospect are at an all time high. Football means family rooms packed with sports enthusiasts, lots of food and (probably) lots of yelling at the TV.

So if you are looking for kitchen design ideas this fall to prepare for winter holidays, look no further than football season.

As loads of people pile into your house every Sunday until January, the kitchen is sure to get a lot of use. From cooking up appetizers and halftime snacks in the kitchen to throwing a few steaks on the grill, most football fans love to eat. The football fan can run endless sprints between the TV room and the kitchen to snack on whatever is in sight.

This is a great opportunity to see how others use the kitchen, how you are using the kitchen to accommodate guests, and where you would like to see things improve.

Kitchen Remodeling

If your guests always seem to run straight into the kitchen island in between plays, you may want to consider kitchen remodeling. A full kitchen remodel will often help homeowners accommodate large amounts of guests, which can be especially helpful during holidays, parties, and football season, of course.

For all of your kitchen remodeling services and for more kitchen design ideas, visit the showroom at Signature Kitchens in Haymarket, Virginia.

Why Choose Signature Kitchens?

Signature Kitchens has been providing quality services throughout Northern Virginia for over 25 years. A majority of that time has been spent serving loyal, satisfied home builders, and more recently, our kitchen design services became available directly to the public.

This has made it easier for locals in Northern Virginia and Maryland to get a one-on-one experience with professional kitchen designers and manufacturers at Signature Kitchens.

When searching for a kitchen design expert, Signature Kitchens has everything you need, which is one of benefits of dealing with a manufacturer.

Kitchen Designer – when you deal with Signature Kitchens, you have direct access to a kitchen designer who assists in the layout, design and installation of your kitchen project.

Services – kitchen design, kitchen cabinet installation, cabinet refacing and more, Signature Kitchens offers everything you need to completely renovate your kitchen no matter how big or small the project may be.

Kitchen Showrooms – there are 3 kitchen showrooms located in the Washington, DC area for our customer’s convenience. Our guests are able to look and use the quality wood craftsmanship that Signature Kitchens offers its home builders and direct customers.

All-in-1 – With Signature Kitchens you work with one company. Everything from the manufacturing, design and installation is done within the company so you never have to run back and forth between customer service reps from other companies.

With so many great services being offered, it’s no wonder Signature Kitchens has been the premier kitchen design company in Northern Virginia and Maryland for so long. Come see for yourself at one of our kitchen design showrooms!

Kitchen Design Ideas after the Storm

Storms have rolled through Northern Virginia in a big way the last couple of weeks, and combined with the worst heat wave the DC metro area has ever experienced, locals did all they could to stay inside during the 110 degree weather.

During that week, I spent as much time indoors as I possibly could and, maybe it was a bit of cabin fever, but I began fixing things that didn’t need to be fixed, cleaning things that I rarely clean, etc. It was also a great time, maybe for you, also, to assess the layout of your home and kitchen, and take note of some changes you would like to see.

Kitchen Design Ideas

Spending a week indoors, you will become much more familiar with your surroundings than you would ever like to be – even more so than Thanksgiving in the kitchen. That’s why it was the perfect opportunity to collect some unique kitchen design ideas.

Kitchen Cabinet Installation

Kitchen cabinet installation is often a much needed improvement to an outdated kitchen. Whether your kitchen cabinets appear worn down, or they have taken their toll physically, kitchen cabinet installation is a great way to give your kitchen a brand new look.

When searching for kitchen design ideas, it is always great to look at kitchen cabinet installation. This is your opportunity to change the location, size and color of the cabinets, and even the overall functionality, as well – if you need more drawers, larger doors, etc.

If you have a great kitchen design idea or want to speak with us about kitchen cabinet installation, we would love to hear from you at Signature Kitchens! Swing by our kitchen showroom in Haymarket, Virginia or give us a call.

Kitchen Cabinet Installation in Herndon, Virginia by Signature Kitchens

Remodeling & Renovation: What's the Difference?

As a homeowner looking to take on a new project, it is important that you understand exactly what you are getting into and how to express that to those involved. To better explain your new project to contractors, service providers and even building supplies retail centers, we’ll take a look at some very common home improvement terms that are used constantly throughout the industry.

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen remodeling, or remodeling in general, is a fairly broad term that is used to describe any change to a house. Remodeling carries with it a heavier weight and can often represent a major undertaking. For example, a kitchen remodeling project may involve combining the dining room and the kitchen into one room. This is becoming an extremely popular kitchen remodeling project as it involves a complete transformation of not one but two rooms.

Kitchen Renovation

Smaller scale projects can be categorized as renovations. A renovation is a project that would involve making the room appear new again. Not a complete overhaul, but updating the existing fixtures and overall look of the room. In a kitchen renovation project, you may see cabinet refacing being done, new appliances or light fixtures, or even new flooring. It is essentially taking what exists currently and revitalizing it.

Knowing the difference between these two types of home improvement projects will allow you to communicate your needs and concerns more effectively with building contractors and retail outlets. For all of your kitchen remodeling and kitchen renovation needs, contact Signature Kitchens in Haymarket, Virginia.

The "Work Triangle" for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

Home values have increased again this month signifying an upswing in the housing market. As I stated in previous blog entries, kitchen remodeling projects create a highly-valuable return on investment for homeowners. These projects steadily increase in popularity as homeowners continue to sell by creating a memorable atmosphere at the heart of the home.

Layouts for Kitchen Remodeling Projects

Kitchen cabinet installation is one of the most important pieces to your remodel. Kitchen cabinets need to be durable, have ample storage space, and most importantly, they have to look good.

The Correct Location for Your Kitchen Cabinet Installation

In order to find the proper location for your kitchen cabinet installation, you need to understand how you want your kitchen to function. Depending on the size of your kitchen remodeling project, you may be looking for a complete overhaul – changing the location of your stove, cabinets, sink, etc.

A tried and true layout for a kitchen remodel is known as the Work Triangle. According to zillow.com, the triangle should have the stove, sink and refrigerator at its points. They should have plenty of space between each item without any intersecting inhibitors such as a kitchen island or counter. This is used to maximize efficiency in the kitchen and to create a space that promotes a seamless operation and room for guests and loved ones to gather.

Signature Kitchens has a fantastic showroom for everyone to browse through for their kitchen remodeling project ideas. You will be able to select the wood, finish and overall look of your new kitchen cabinets, and even see them paired with counter tops and appliances.

Visit Signature Kitchens in Haymarket, Virginia. We service all of Northern Virginia including Loudoun County, Prince William County, Fairfax County and beyond.

Going Green: Kitchen Renovation Ideas

Keeping up with the latest kitchen design trends can be a fun process. New designs are constantly emerging and everything from the economy and location of your home can impact the overall style of a newly built home.

One of the hottest topics for the last several years is “going green.” We hear about it from every company under the sun as businesses shift towards environmentally-friendly products and manufacturing processes.

Kitchen Renovation Ideas for “Going Green”

A trend that continues to gain more steam is incorporating renewable or recyclable products into home building, according to zillow.com. Homeowners are now requesting flooring materials that are environmentally-friendly. The most common solution to that request is bamboo. Since bamboo is considered grass and grows rapidly, it is also considered a renewable option for flooring, and a kitchen renovation idea worth remembering.

Going Green with Cabinet Installation

Gone are the days of lugging armfuls of plastic bottles and cans out to the green recycle bin in your garage. With a society that is more sensitive to recycling and reusing than ever before, homeowners are finding new ways to incorporate the process into their homes through cabinet installation. Separate receptacles for recycling are now hiding underneath kitchen islands and unassuming cabinets. Often found next to the trash can inside the cabinets, recycling bins are conveniently located and at the top of your mind while you dispose of waste.

Courtesy Flickr user erin lanigan

Incorporating the going green process into your kitchen renovation ideas can be a great benefit to the environment and your home. For all of your home’s cabinet installation and kitchen renovation needs, visit Signature Kitchens in Haymarket, Virginia.

Kitchen Remodeling: Enormous Resale Value

In the last few blogs I wrote about the increasing popularity of kitchen remodeling and some of the latest trends. How the kitchen is no longer just a room to cook and eat in, but has become a multipurpose space functioning as the home office, dining room, and the central hub of your home.

Other than the visual appeal that complete kitchen remodeling projects bring, there is a much bigger reason that you should consider updating the most important room in your home: resale value.

Remodeling magazine’s 2011-2012 Cost vs. Value Report stated that minor kitchen remodels, including new countertops, appliances, and cabinet refacing, see a national average of receiving a 72% return on investment. Major kitchen remodeling projects including flooring, lighting and cabinet installation see nearly a 66% return on investment.

These numbers are enormous. Nearly 70% of the money you invest into your kitchen, whether cabinet refacing, new countertops and the like, will be returned to you upon the sale of your home. The more current the design and functionality of your kitchen the better. Having your home up to date on the latest trends can add a ton of value to your home’s worth making for an easier sale in the long run and an enjoyable environment while you are still living in the home, as well.

Signature Kitchens specializes in complete kitchen remodeling jobs, as well as minor kitchen renovations, and everything in between: cabinet refacing, cabinet installation, custom pieces, etc. For all of your kitchen makeover needs, contact Signature Kitchens in Northern Virginia today.

Kitchen Remodeling by Signature Kitchens

Kitchen Renovation Ideas: The Trends are Shifting!

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about some of the latest trends in kitchen remodeling. With such a dramatic shift in the housing market, the way our country is building and using homes has dramatically changed over the years. With this post, I hope to give you a few more kitchen renovation ideas and keep you educated on the latest trends.

Zillow.com cites another big change in kitchen remodeling. Separate dining rooms and living rooms are becoming extinct as homeowners are requesting more open floor plans. As a child, and even now, I know of very few families who still eat around the table in their dining room. In my eyes, the dining room has become just as formal as the “formal living room.” It’s hardly ever used as families are busier than ever, and do not have time to set up an elaborate meal. If they are eating together, it’s most often around the kitchen table.

An open floor plan appears to be more “free” and welcoming. If the kitchen is the central hub of the home, why not enjoy your meals in it, too? Keep this tip filed under your kitchen renovation ideas.

Kitchen Remodeling for Baby Boomers

Home building is starting to reflect the needs of the Baby Boomer generation. Having been settled in their home, these homeowners are looking towards kitchen remodeling to bring new life to their house. With that in mind, their kitchen remodeling requests are often for accessibility, wider doorways, and even lower countertops.

If you have no plans to move out of your home, remember some of these kitchen renovation ideas as you take the next step towards your kitchen remodeling project.

Call Signature Kitchens for any of your kitchen renovation needs, or stop by our showroom in Haymarket, Virginia!

The Showroom at Signature Kitchens

This week, I took some time out of my day to tour the absolutely beautiful Signature Kitchens showroom conveniently located in Haymarket, Virginia. The front of the building looks just like a small home, but upon entry, the walls seem to expand as the showroom opens up, full of fantastic kitchens and exquisitely-crafted cabinetry.

The kitchen showroom provides an amazing experience full of breathtaking kitchens, but it also proves educational as guests see firsthand the process behind their legendary kitchen cabinet refacing, or “recrafting” process.

What makes the kitchen cabinet refacing process so incredible is the ability to completely transform the entire physical appearance of the existing cabinetry without a complete overhaul of the cabinet frames and installation process. It may sound like a complete kitchen remodeling project, but the recrafting process can be done in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost.

The selection of new cabinet and drawer faces is vast and the entire collection is as stunning as the piece before it. There were so many great samples to choose from, and some of my favorite pieces were even found in photos of their completed projects proudly hanging on the showroom walls.

Most of all, the showroom felt intimate. It wasn't a large, impersonal business that didn't care, it was personal and catered exactly to what each guest wanted. I felt like I was standing in someone's home when I was there, and that is the perfect way to envision your new kitchen.

Stop by the showroom sometime and see for yourself. Haymarket is a beautiful town and truly adds to the whole experience. (The diner across the street is amazing, as well!)

The Signature Kitchens showroom is located at 6612 James Madison Highway, Haymarket, Virginia 20169.

Completed Project by Signature Kitchens

Kitchen Design Ideas: The Latest Trends

Recently, Zillow, a real estate focused website, wrote an article outlining the latest kitchen design ideas and trends. As I have mentioned before, they too state that the kitchen has become so much more than what it used to be. It functions not only as a place to prepare food, but as your entertainment hub during social events, your workspace, and also a dining room. With this trend taking a drastic shift from previous years, now is a great time to consider kitchen remodeling.

Why Kitchen Remodeling in This Economy?

According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) the current economic market has lead to cutbacks in other areas of home design and overall room size, but kitchens continue to see more attention in both design and use; one reason being that kitchens, along with bathrooms, are an essential part of the home. New kitchen design ideas are taking hold as home offices become less popular, and desk work is being done around the kitchen table. The AIA says that 43 percent of architects polled saw an increase in demand for computer areas in the kitchen. Here is a home we remodeled in Herndon, Virginia.

Kitchen remodeling projects and new homes are seeing extended countertops to handle other non-typical-kitchen tasks and floor space is being added to expand the overall size. The kitchen is becoming the main source of foot traffic in the home and the room where residents spend the most amount of time.

If you see that your own lifestyle reflects the current trend, now is the perfect time for kitchen remodeling. You’re spending the most time in your kitchen, so it requires the most upkeep and attention! Call Signature WoodCrafters for affordable solutions for your kitchen remodeling project!