Know Your Options – Section 2: Kitchens
Section 2: Kitchens
The kitchen is the heart of every home, so it’s often the most important room when it comes to selections. Once you have made these decisions, planning for the rest of your home is easy. The features and styles you choose here will help set the tone for the rest of your design.
Additional Resources
Designer Tips From The Video:
- Choose from our Appliance Packages for beautiful appliance options and streamlined installation.
- Know what “style” of kitchen you want going into your first appointment, your designer will help find options that match your budget!
- Think about your lifestyle and functionality when choosing storage options, counter space, and sink sizes.
Read the Full Video Transcript Here
The kitchen is the heart of every home, so it’s often the most important room when it comes to selections. Once you have made these decisions, planning for the rest of your home is easy. The features and styles you choose here will help set the tone for the rest of your design.
Let’s begin with kitchen storage. This is a great time to analyze your lifestyle and how you’ll utilize the space. Take a peek at your current kitchen area and think about what things work for you and what doesn’t? Ask yourself what would make life easier in your new home?
Could it be a pot and pan drawer or a double pullout waste bin or a tall full height cabinet for butcher blocks or cookie sheets.
These are all great options to consider when planning what storage needs will fit your lifestyle best.
You will also need to consider the aesthetics of your space. This will include cabinet hardware styles and finishes, possible glass door inserts, crown molding and lighting. Each of these options adds a unique flair to every kitchen and is entirely personal. Finish color makes a big difference and a big impact because of course it all has to flow together.
I know that this sounds like a lot but our team is here for you and they will help you put it all together. Start with simple questions, do you prefer black, nickel, chrome or brushed a gold finish? The answer to this question will help to clear the path for your designer in determining your style.
One of your biggest decisions will be which cabinet door style fits your intended look best?
We offer a wide variety of cabinet styles and finishes for you to choose from. Our offerings are based on the current trends and as a bonus feature each of our cabinets is constructed with a dovetail drawer box regardless of the style. This is an included feature for every home.
To learn more about which style is included with your home plan you will need to consult your designer and if you are stuck on what is right for you, again start with a basic question. Ask yourself do you prefer a lighter finished cabinet such as white or a darker more dramatic look such as onyx or an espresso stain. Once you know that your designer can help you take it from there.
Also, don’t forget to check out our feature gallery on the Eastbrook Homes website. We have hundreds of pictures for you to look through for inspiration.
Now let’s look at one of the best features of your kitchen, the island! There are lots of ways to personalize your island to fit your lifestyle. Depending on your floor plan you can choose between
A level ledge island or a raised snack ledge, each has advantages and disadvantages. A raised snack ledge gives you visual separation hiding the sink and the potentially dirty dishes that can collect. While a level edge island gives you a much larger work surface and a more grand appearance.
Optional details that can be added to a level edge island include Deluxe Island posts and molding details such as the cottage trim shown here.
Now onto backsplash options! Your backsplash doubles as a visual and functional component of your kitchen. Linking your design choices for your counter space to your cabinets. Your designer can work with you to find what will fit best with your kitchen. Your home includes a 4” backsplash, but you can choose to invest in the option to add full tile backsplash to the bottom of the microhood or extend the backsplash up to the ceiling if you are adding in a wood or metal hood vent.
Backsplash options and countertops go and hand in hand and are a huge component of any kitchen design. Choosing the right one for your look and lifestyle is a key part to making your kitchen your own.
Laminate countertops are included in every home plan. There are a wide variety of colors and textures to choose from. They have a durable finish and great visual style. Laminate counters can scratch and can burn so like with many things please take great care and use those trivets for the hot things. Your included laminate countertops feature a 50/50 stainless steel sink that will drop into the counter.
Granite is a natural stone that is heat resistant and scratch-resistant. Each granite slab is truly unique and different. It’s available in a variety of styles and colors and is a great choice for its durability. One consideration is that it is a natural material and it is porous, which means it has the potential to stain. Your granite countertops will be sealed however, you may need to seal them again over time. The included sink will be an undermount 5050 stainless steel style.
We also offer Quartz. Quartz is made up of a combination of natural quartz and man made materials. It is highly durable, is very low maintenance, and does not require sealing. However, light colors do still have the potential to stain so be sure to take this into consideration. Quartz also includes an undermount 5050 stainless steel sink.
As you can see each of our countertop options includes a specific sink style however, we do offer a wide variety of other options that you could choose to invest in depending on what countertop material you ultimately select. Everything ranging from a deeper drop in sink for the laminate counters to an Apron front sink for granite or quartz. Consult your designer on what option is right for you.
Now let’s check out the faucets!
The included faucet in each of our homes is a chrome style for both the kitchen and the baths. However, we do offer various other styles and finishes to fit your needs. This could include a hands-free faucet or a pull down spray faucet. You will also see that there are multiple finish options to select from. Don’t worry your designer will help you to determine what finish will fit your home best.
Lastly, be sure to consider some of the other convenient options that are out there. These would include a Push Button Garbage Disposal Switch, or even a Soap Dispenser; which are great for hand soap or dish soap.
Each of our home plans include a Stainless Steel Tall Tub Dishwasher and each kitchen is designed to accommodate a buyer supplied microvent.
There is much to consider when selecting appliances and it is very important for you to do your homework. Appliances are an investment and there are a lot of options out there. For instance, you may decide that you would prefer a metal or wood hood over the range vs. a microvent.
You may also decide that a wall oven cooktop combination is going to be a better fit for you than a freestanding range. If that is the case your kitchen design will need to be modified to accommodate this and not all plans will spatially be able to fit this arrangement. Please let your designer know early on if this is an option that you would like to explore.
If a range is the way you plan to go, be sure to educate yourself on the differences between gas and electric, along with freestanding styles or slide in style. The freestanding range has controls on the back and front whereas the slide in has controls on the front, showcasing more backsplash. You will also need to explore refrigerator styles. It may be that a french door with bottom freezer is the way to go vs. a more traditional side by side.
When it comes to purchasing and including the appliances with your build, one of the easiest ways to do this is to select one of our Eastbrook Appliance Packages. You can view the details about the available options within our online Design Center software.
We have worked very hard to offer a variety of packages that will work with many different kitchen designs and style needs. A benefit of selecting one of our packages is that everything is done for you.
Eastbrook will order and have your appliances installed prior to you moving in. Also, if you choose this route and select one of our options, the cost of your appliances can be added into your overall home price. Please keep in mind that in order for us to keep our great value, packages cannot be altered.
You can also purchase your appliances on your own after you close.
If you’re choosing this option, your designer will need you to provide them with all of your specifications prior to you finalizing your selections in the Home Creation Studio.
Lastly please note that if purchasing them on your own you cannot add them to your overall home price and Eastbrook does not have the resources to warranty or install buyer-supplied products.
Like we said in the beginning, there’s a ton to cover. But the kitchen is the heart of the home and your designer will be there for you, every step of the way.
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