Prep Your Kitchen For The Holidays (Or Any Day)

As we write this, Easter is 45 days away. As we all have learned by now, time flies, so we might as well say Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas are right around the corner. If you’ve decided to host a holiday dinner at your home, things can get pretty stressful. Here’s a checklist to reference to make sure your kitchen is ready for the action.

1.) Clean up any mail, bills or paperwork that might be strewn across your countertops. Make sure to wipe the counters down.

2.) This is the perfect time to clean out your refrigerator. During your gathering, many people will be opening the fridge to grab drinks, condiments, etc. Make sure the door handles and shelves inside are clean.

3.) Wipe down the inside and outside of your microwave, making sure there’s no evidence of food splatter or mess.

4.) Take a wet rag and clean the outside of your oven, making sure to also do a cleaning around the top burners. If you’re going to run the self-clean cycle on your oven, try to do it a few days before your party instead of the day of.

5.) Wash down your trash cans, paying special attention to the food and gunk that can collect at the bottom.

6.) Sharpen your knives and polish your silverware. Make sure your kitchen is stocked with all the necessities.

Whether it’s a holiday party, a family gathering or you just feel like doing some spring cleaning, following this checklist will assure that your kitchen is ready to be put to good use!

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The Kitchen of your Dreams!

The kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you eat and entertain. It’s where you make memories with loved ones. When working with Snell Construction, you can build the kitchen of your dreams.

Let’s start off with how much space you have and/or want. Everybody wants a kitchen where they not only can cook, but they can hangout and entertain. In most cases, the kitchen is the gathering spot when you have company over. Let’s make sure you have enough room to comfortably fit everybody…and the food!

What’s your style? Are you more modern, traditional, or transitional? Modern style kitchens will more than likely boast clean lines and edges, stainless steel appliances, and sleek cabinets. Traditional style kitchens will be cozy, classic and feel like “home”. Think natural wood and lots of personal décor (family photos, report cards hanging on the refrigerator, etc). If you like a more transitional style kitchen, you will have a mixture of both modern and traditional: custom countertops, simple accents AND a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Cabinets are an important part of the décor. Glass panes, wood, the possibilities are endless. A new trend is adding cabinets that are a different color than the rest of the kitchen (think green, navy blue, and red). This will add a pop of color to the kitchen and make it unique. You can also add open shelves instead of cabinets to make the place feel more open.

View from dining area overlooking spacious kitchen

Believe it or not, the sink can have a major effect on the ambiance and feel of your kitchen. Do you want a stainless steel sink or a more contemporary option? It’s totally up to you! Do you want a sink with a tall faucet? Do you want a sink deep enough for filling pots? Do some digging and find one that suits your needs, your wants and your style.

Invest in high quality appliances that will last you years and years. Double ovens, a built in refrigerator, a high tech microwave…the appliances are one of the most important decisions you will make when designing your new kitchen.

Walk-in pantries are all the rage. Leaving yourself plenty of storage space will allow the kitchen area to feel less cluttered and full. This accessible area will be the place to store the luxurious pots, pans and dishes that you only bring out on special occasions. A walk-in pantry is efficient and effective.

Do you want a traditional island, or would you rather have a large dining table instead? If you do want an island, what type of finish? Granite? Silestone? You can have it match your countertops or even your cabinets, or make it a totally different color scheme and texture to add a little bit of quirkiness.

Designing a custom kitchen isn’t easy, and that’s why we’re here to help! Give us a call and see what our craftsmanship and compassion can do for you!

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