When it comes to the many types of renovations, Sweeten has seen it all! Whether a single-room remodel or adding square footage to a house, Sweeten helps homeowners envision their dream spaces—and then turns them into reality. 

Sweeten contractors are skilled in many areas of construction. We check their licenses, insurance, quality of work, and customer service skills—all so we can ensure your remodel goes smoothly and you get connected with the right team for your project. 

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support— for free. Here are some types of projects Sweeten contractors have completed. 

Entire Homes

Whether an apartment, brownstone, or standalone house, Sweeten contractors can take any space and make it uniquely your own. Sandra and Nelson wanted to update their Brooklyn home to fit their new needs. Their kids were grown, so they wanted to focus on the house. They wanted a more convenient living space. With the help of their contractor, they remodeled the kitchen, dining, and living room. Plus, they turned a small office into a beautiful sunroom. 

Sweeten also transforms apartments for open-concept living or more personal space with walls or partitions. Sweeten homeowners Mitzie and Jenifer (below). created a seamless flow from one living space to another.

Kitchens & Baths

Kitchens and baths are the sweet spots for our contractors. No matter the square footage, each space comes with its own unique set of requirements. Bathrooms and kitchens can be rip-and-replace projects, where the floor plan is not altered or they can be of a larger scope. These types of projects can entail reworking/upgrading electrical and plumbing like was necessary for two smaller baths combined as one (below) or Carol and Jon’s Sweeten kitchen renovation (above).  For these changes, an experienced contractor will call in the right pros to help.

Living Spaces

Kitchens and baths are the most popular spaces to renovate, but don’t forget about the rest of the home! From functional closets, bedrooms, and home offices to extra living space in the basement, the spaces that get you through the day can change the way you live in your home.

Garage Conversions / ADUs

Commonly known as ADUs (accessory dwelling units), these converted spaces have become more and more popular. They are a great way to add valuable square footage to your home and create additional, functional spaces. Sweeten contractors converted Michelle’s garage (above) and turned Jaime’s garage into a studio office (below). Each includes bathrooms and kitchenettes.

Exteriors and Additions

When you have a big project, such as updating the exterior of your home or putting on an addition, having the right renovation team is key. Alicia’s Sweeten contractor added 1,000 square feet to the back of her house (above). Rosaire turned her garage into a living room with a pantry (below).

Molding and Built-ins

Sometimes a room needs a small decorative touch such as trim and millwork. Built-ins are an investment that offers a finished look and functional storage as in Laura and Walter’s den (above). Trim and molding also set a polished look for every room. A ’60s house receives elegant millwork in the Sweeten renovation below.

Ready to find your own vetted contractor? Post your project on Sweeten!

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Taking on a gut reno? Prepare for potential challenges to set a path for a smoother renovation.

For even more examples of the types of renovations Sweeten does, check out Before & After stories!

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration, and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

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The post Refrigerators in Disguise: 10 Ideas for a Hidden Fridge Cabinet appeared first on Sweeten.

• Homeowners: Designer, Matthew Stewart, posted his first personal Clinton Hill renovation on Sweeten
• Where: Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: Updating a new kitchen, bathrooms, and a multipurpose guest room for a 1,000-square-foot apartment
• With: Sweeten general contractor in NYC
• Homeowner’s quote: “At the outset, I got a lot of high bids. [My contractor] was the one who convinced me it could be done within my budget.” 

Written in partnership with homeowner Matthew Stewart. “After” photos by Pixy Interiors.

I found a place that needed work and left me with some budget to renovate. It was challenging to work full-time and oversee the renovation. I tried to keep things simple. 

The goal for my home was to feel peaceful and light, but I had a pretty tight budget for all that I wanted to accomplish. I focused on fairly humble materials for the renovation that I really liked and how to use them expanding on traditional neutral colors. Work is always visually intensive for me and I wanted a minimal, quiet space to serve as a backdrop for art and objects.

Navigating the renovation plan

I’ve seen many projects through construction in my professional career. However, it never personally affected my life before. The biggest challenge was: would I be able to figure out the design of the space, hire a contractor, and complete the work in the short window I had before I would have to move in? I ended up having to move into a construction site. It was a lot to have workers show up every morning and not have a kitchen for many weeks. But you forget the hardships quickly once it’s done and you’re enjoying living there. Thankfully, my partner, at the time, and I were able to help each other through it. He has great taste and helped me the whole way through.

“I’ve always liked appliance garages. It goes back to the fact that my grandparents had one in their very modern kitchen from the ’60s.”

Planning a mixed-materials kitchen

Mixing wood and laminate as finishes for the cabinetry was an important idea when I was planning the renovation. It emphasizes the volumes and makes the scale a little more human. The countertops and peninsula are concrete, which I like because the material can take any form. However, it’s also a natural material for a renovation that weathers over time. 

I’ve always liked appliance garages. It goes back to the fact that my grandparents had one in their very modern kitchen from the ’60s. 

Renovating two bathrooms

I was especially excited about the new bathrooms and having a tub to soak in with a smoked glass panel. From the beginning, I knew the partition would not be clear glass. 

In the other bathroom, the general idea was to make a very small space feel as big and open as possible. The renovation materials are pretty simple, but the details and extra showerhead make it feel more special.

A Murphy bed and storage

In the guest bedroom/office, the millwork is a combination of knotty pine and laminate, with a painted wood frame. The red laminate panel breaks up the finish and calls attention to the sliding door. They are both closets and shoe storage.

I made the open shelving in the hallway myself using laminated pieces of reclaimed wood. In a way, it’s the heart of the apartment. I knew I wanted to find a spot for these shelves and the hall was just the right fit. It turns a slice of space that wasn’t so usable into a place for display.

Plants were always an important component. All of the artwork is from friends and acquaintances or people in my community.

A successful partnership with my general contractor

My Sweeten general contractor was instrumental in completing the project and helping me do all of the things I wanted to do. At the outset, I got a lot of high bids. He was the one who convinced me it could be done within my budget. 

He helped me find the millworker who did all the cabinetry. I did all the designs and drawings for them and selected all the finishes. A Murphy bed kit was purchased online and my contractor built the frame, the custom panels, and installed it.

Start your renovation

I highly recommend working with design professionals. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of work involved. And don’t get too hung up on specific choices, sometimes it’s easier to just pick something nice that you know you like and move on. 

My new home makes me feel happy and relaxed, and it helps me focus. Living in the space has forced me to declutter and live more simply. And it’s been a good exercise to direct interests for future projects.

Thank you, Matthew, for sharing your renovation with us!

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When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

Renovation Materials

KITCHEN RESOURCES: Laminate and douglas fir cabinets: Custom by general contractor. Hardware: Rejuvenation. Concrete countertops: Trueform Concrete. Ceramic backsplash tile: Mosa. Blanco Silgranit sink: Blanco. Kohler faucet: Kohler. Pendant lights: Verner Panton. 

MASTER BATHROOM RESOURCES: Shower fixtures: California Faucets. Kohler sink: Kohler. Vanity: Custom. Duravit toilet: Duravit. Lighting: Rich Brilliant Willing. 

GUEST BATHROOM RESOURCES: Floor & wall tiles: Mosa ceramic. Shower fixtures: California Faucets. Toto toilet: Toto. Lighting: Vintage.

LIVING SPACE: Paint throughout in Alabaster: Benjamin Moore.

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Removing walls while renovating brought light into one couple’s new kitchen

• Homeowners: Erica and Joshua posted their project on Sweeten
• Where: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York
• Primary renovation: Renovating a cramped kitchen to fit more than one person comfortably
• Sweeten general contractor
• Homeowner quote: The builders and carpenters of our design-build firm are true craftspeople. The care with which they handled each task was notable.
• Sweeten’s role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free..

Guest blog post by Sweeten homeowner Erica

It’s hard to believe a wall can have such a profound impact on how two people share space. Our kitchen, once barely big enough for one person, was transformed into what kitchens are meant to be: the heart of the home. Our 800-square-foot Clinton Hill apartment was a loved space, in every sense of the word. My then-fiancé, Joshua, moved in and we decided to renovate.

Even before Joshua joined me, I imagined what would happen if the wall between the living room and kitchen came down. Now that it was two of us, changes seemed necessary. Along with the wall, Joshua also dreamed of replacing the parquet floors with hardwood. (I much preferred parquet so those conversations often ended in agreeing to disagree.)

Our apartment and all its quirks and beauties were familiar. We knew how we used the space, and which areas needed to become a better fit. We had a budget for the kitchen and vision. But who could we trust to help us move forward with our ideas? Just choosing the right paint color felt overwhelming, so finding the right designer was a challenge. 

Just choosing the right paint color felt overwhelming, so finding the right designer was a challenge.

I posted our project on Sweeten.com, and selected a firm with design/build services. The general contractor was familiar with the Clinton Hill Co-ops and the complexities that exist in these apartments, which were originally constructed in the early 1940s.

On that first warm fall evening, she sat in our living room and listened carefully as we described what we hoped our home would be. We knew we wanted to remove a wall, upgrade the contractor-grade cabinetry, replace the appliances, and install under-cabinet lighting. But we were unsure of the process and the things we could not see. After talking, she immediately popped up and put her superhero design tools to work—her x-ray vision which saw through walls, and her tape measure. 

Initial sketches removed the wall between the kitchen and the dining area completely, as well as part of the wall between the kitchen and the living room. We were seeking to strike a balance between Joshua’s partiality to completely open spaces and my desire to keep some visual privacy. Receptive to our decision to keep the entire wall between the living room and kitchen intact, the plan removed only the wall between the kitchen and the dining area.

Our contractor’s keen eye helped us ask so many more questions about the space. I never noticed that the sightlines of our parquet floors were uneven and misaligned. (Joshua was right. We needed to replace the floors.)

I realized that the space would be transformed in ways I was not expecting the moment she began to speak of light from the kitchen window spilling into the back corner of the living room. With the wall down, of course, the kitchen window would be visible as you enter the apartment. The decision to move the refrigerator out of the original kitchen footprint into what was once a hallway closet provided more options on where the sink and dishwasher could be.

I knew that our Sweeten contractor had expertise in millwork. Our kitchen, filled with unexpected nooks and crannies, was a design dilemma that custom cabinetry could solve. I envisioned white cabinetry to brighten up the kitchen, and we trusted our contractor’s desire to include natural wood via open shelving and some cabinetry with a walnut finish. The shelving she created is the perfect platform for us to display our spices, cookbooks, vases, and the all-important pilon for grinding plantains.

The weekend before demolition day, our contractor came by to finalize things. “I’m so nervous,” I admitted.

As a designer, she not only considered ways to bring more storage and surface area into the kitchen, but also a new hue. One afternoon we perused our choices at their warehouse in Queens.

Every tile seemed to fall short—wrong tint, incorrect size, too dominating, etc. But then Joshua’s eye caught a simple hexagonal tile of soft turquoise blue. This 3D recycled glass tilecomplemented the cabinetry color, the wood finish, and it was the right size. The result is a beautiful canvas that pulls the white cabinetry and quartz countertops together. Last, but certainly not least, it serves as a surprising showcase for my favorite red cast iron Dutch oven.

Making decisions was easy. Rather than ask us to look at every iteration of countertop or knob, our contractor presented us with a few options, and the design sensibility connected across the space. The nickel handles on the cabinet doors pick up the subtle specks of silver accents in the quartz countertops coordinating well with the steel appliances.  I only noticed it once the kitchen was complete.

We had to come up with secondary plans for overhead lighting since the ceiling was made of concrete. The floor lamp now illuminates our favorite round dining table. The gooseneck sconce creates the perfect corner for working on a laptop at our kitchen peninsula, which can now accommodate someone cooking at the same time. The peninsula also has generous storage on two sides—four very deep drawers and a small cabinet.

Now, when you walk into our apartment, three things jump out at you: the welcoming natural light that flows in from the windows, rich wood elements on the cabinetry and shelving, and the turquoise tile of the backsplash.

The builders and carpenters of our design-build firm are true craftspeople. The care with which they handled each task was notable. They produced perfectly mitered corners, laid the floor with precision, and cleaned up at the end of each day. We felt like we were in good hands the entire way through. I’d notice an imperfection, and before I could say anything, they had fixed it. Truly top-notch workmanship. They were so thoughtful about the space that it made our decision to stay in the apartment throughout the renovation easy. “Just think of it like camping,” Joshua said one night as we dined in our bedroom.

The weekend before demolition day, our contractor came by to finalize things. “I’m so nervous,” I admitted. “Don’t worry,” she warmly replied. “You’re gonna love it.”  Debris and concrete walls filled much of the living area after the first demolition day, but we felt the homeyness of the space. The light from the newly visible window greeted us as we entered in a way we never expected. I looked at Joshua and said, “I didn’t realize how much of me was in this place. Now we get to create this space together.” We couldn’t relish it more!

Thank you, Erica and Joshua, for sharing your renovation journey with us!

KITCHEN RESOURCES. Engineered White Oak 5” floor planks: Somerset Floors. Cabinets: custom. Open shelving: custom. Contemporary Metal Pull 8160 cabinet hardware: Richelieu. Jefferey Alexander Satin Nickel Sonoma Square cabinet knob, #431SN: Pulls Direct. Brooklyn CT 4403 Quartz countertops: CitiQuartz. Recycled glass tile backsplash:TileBar. 23” Single Basin Undermount sink: Vigo Industries. Pull-down spray faucet: Hansgrohe. 30” gas range: Frigidaire. Refrigerator: Maytag. 24” Bar-handle dishwasher: Bosch. Morland wall sconce: Savoy House. George Kovacs fabric wall sconce: Lumens. Phoenix barstools, floor lamp, #271806: CB2.

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If you’re looking to contribute sweat equity to your renovation, here’s what to DIY and what to leave to the pros.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration, and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post A Well-Loved Home Begins a New Chapter appeared first on Sweeten.

In a studio apartment, closet and storage space is scarce. Your only options for keeping everything in your home are being surrounded by your stuff 24/7 or adopting a minimalist lifestyle and ditching most of your belongings. Neither are perfect solutions. Instead, reimagine the closet, not as a single space where you keep everything, but as multiple spaces throughout your home. Take inspiration from five resourceful renovators who came to Sweeten—a free service matching homeowners with vetted general contractors—and see where things can go in a small space.

A low cabinet wall can replace closet space for studios

A low wall of cabinets in Matthew’s bedroom is the perfect storage alternative to the missing closet, providing ample clothing and shoe storage. Aligning the top of the built-in with the lower half of the window not only keeps it from making the room feel smaller but—voilà!—he now has a window seat.

Kitchen cabinetry on a blank wall creates a pseudo pantry & fridge space

Square footage was limited in Lauren’s tiny kitchen, so she took a blank wall and loaded it up with storage for a hidden pantry and fridge—plus, a coat closet! Tucking everything out of sight provides an uncluttered and sophisticated look.

Custom wall-hung cabinetry instead of a closet? Yes, please!

The lack of closets in Kim and Ian’s studio meant that they had to get creative when it came to clothing storage. A custom walnut cabinet in the bedroom area with a mahogany finish takes advantage of empty wall space and adds some visual interest.

Sleek storage in the living area expertly blends in

In Ying’s studio, she took the average closet build and turned it inside out, adding cabinet storage, shelving, and drawers along the perimeter of the main living area.

A sliding door that doubles as cleverly hidden clothing storage

Miguel’s bedroom had a new entryway, but no closet space whatsoever, so he designed a custom sliding door that doubled as wardrobe storage.

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Can you make studio living more comfortable? We think so! Carve out spots in your home for working and dining.

Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and you’ll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor. 

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Studio Apartment Storage: The Secret to Getting More Space appeared first on Sweeten.

Laura and Matthew’s double drawer wall-hung vanity

With all the fixtures taking up space in the bathroom—sinks, toilet, plus tub or shower—it can be hard to also fit sufficient storage. The vanity alone is rarely enough. And if your space is traditional, with a pedestal sink, the need is greater. However, with smart planning that addresses all the tasks in the bath, you can find the best bathroom storage solutions.

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

Planning your space

First, figure out where the fixtures will go. If you’re remodeling, you need to decide if everything stays put or if something moves. Evaluate the floor and wall space to find areas for storage—bathroom cabinets, shelves, or freestanding pieces like furniture.

Bathroom vanity

Once a simple box with doors and drawers for storing toiletries, the vanity has expanded its capabilities. Manufacturers like Kohler and Duravit have introduced built-in internal storage compartments that corral items small, medium and large, while still remaining in arm’s reach. Look for helpful add-ons like electrical outlets, adjustable shelves, and rollout trays. For existing vanities, small acrylic trays and storage boxes at the Container Store fit a variety of drawer dimensions. If the bathroom is shared, and you have room for twin vanities instead of one large one, go for it! This allows each occupant to organize the space exactly as he or she wishes. You can identify the type of vanity you want from among the following styles:

*Floating – This style, attached to the wall, keeps the floor clear for an open look. You can find models from manufacturers like Decorá that include at least one drawer under the sink. Expect a small cutout in the middle of the top drawer to clear the plumbing pipes, and still allow room on the left and right.

*Freestanding – The advantage here is the vanity can be moved, with little impact on the wall behind it. It typically goes countertop to floor so there’s more square footage for storage and more door-and-drawer combos. Ronbow makes vanities with integrated sinks and storage below starting as narrow as 19 inches wide, good to fit twin sets in a small bath. Console styles closely resemble furniture, with shapely legs below the cabinet to create an open effect, and usually incorporate a shelf near the bottom.

Built-in cabinets

This might be custom cabinetry, similar to what you would order for the kitchen, and from many of the same manufacturers. Or it might be bespoke, crafted by a carpenter. Because the unit is built into a wall, it can be as large and long as you want. It also allows the addition of matching units above the counter, on either side of the sink, or between double sinks. You get lots of opportunities to vary door, drawer, and open shelf combos above and below the counter. KraftMaid makes a narrow pullout unit with shelves, much like a pantry, to make use of a narrow vertical space. Consider upper cabinets with glass doors as bathroom storage for towels and pretty toiletries in a spa-like display.

Freestanding cabinets

Similar to kitchen solutions, you can add a cabinet or an open case fitted with shelves in any free space in the bath. Make sure there is clearance for any activity taking place nearby. The advantage here is that the shelves can be adjusted when you wish—to hold a hamper or bath towels on a lower shelf, and smaller personal care items at arm level. Another alternative: a shelf that is not a shelf, such as an étagère—an open-back shelving unit—or one side of a ladder. These repurposed bathroom storage ideas can be found at resale shops or some furniture stores that make small decorative furniture for the bath.

Built-in shelves

Shelves maximize vertical space anywhere there is an open wall space with studs that provide support for attaching the units. Find a place for shelves adjacent to a sink, between sinks, or flanking sinks, above a toilet tank, high up around the perimeter of the ceiling, on a wall a foot or so from the shower, or even a shallow ledge above the vanity. In addition to shelves that match a manufacturer’s vanity collection, options include a wide selection of widths and depths or you can have a carpenter craft shelves to exact specifications. As with vanities, they come in a variety of styles.

The most versatile, these shelves go anywhere there is sufficient support to attach them: above the toilet, between sinks or flanking sinks, high up around the perimeter of the ceiling, or even a shallow ledge above the vanity.

Melina and Fabio’s gold and marble floating shelves

Medicine cabinets

Why go for a simple mirror when you can capture storage above the sink too? You have two options for storage here, with medicine cabinets that recess into a wall or mount on the wall, each with the traditional mirrored door that opens out.

*Recessed – Placed in the shallow wall space between studs, this style comes in versions from 4 to 8 inches deep—big enough to stow rolls of toilet paper. Kohler offers one for less than $100. Robern adds options with one, two, or three doors as well as electrical outlets for added organization and versatility.

*Wall mount – If you mount the cabinet on the surface of the wall, check out Decorá, which makes a model with storage shelves that slide out from either side, disappearing when not in use.

Maria and Eric’s built-in niche

Built-in niche

This type of shelf is located in a recessed area, such as between studs or even between two cabinets. Built-ins also work on a smaller scale in the shower, in the form of a niche for shampoos and soaps. In the wall above the tub, you can go larger and perhaps fit a couple shelves for a practical display of bath salts and liquid soaps. For visual interest, insert mirrored panels or beadboard on the back surfaces of the niches, or paint them a contrasting color.

Furniture

In addition to the small decorative pieces described above, it can be fun to introduce a vintage dresser or bookcase, if you have the room. Use the top to display personal items as well as toiletries. Drawers hold towels, small appliances like a hair dryer or electric razor.

Solve your bathroom storage with some of the suggestions described above, and begin to enjoy the serene space you deserve.

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We love Brian’s travel-inspired take on classic bathroom storage; check out his antique basin table and custom red balau wood medicine cabinet.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

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Unlike a kitchen island, which has clearance on all sides, a peninsula is joined to the rest of the kitchen, often meeting with a nearby counter or wall to transform an L-shape layout into a much more functional U-shape. It’s a popular choice among homeowners who don’t have enough space for an island—three feet all around is normally required for comfortable clearance—or prefer to have a more cohesive kitchen layout. It’s also a great way to create visual separation between two spaces in an open plan apartment. You can take the delineation one step further by defining different functions for each side of the peninsula—storage and prep space on one side and seating on the other. Below, a look at five homeowners, each with a one-of-a-kind kitchen peninsula.

Erica and Joshua’s kitchen in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room in Erica and Joshua’s apartment greatly improved the usability of the space. In order to find a compromise between Joshua’s preference for an open plan layout and Erica’s desire to maintain some visual privacy between rooms, a peninsula was built in the kitchen to divide it from the dining area. It was designed with generous storage on both sides in the form of drawers and a cabinet on one end. With bar seating for three, and a gooseneck sconce illuminating one end, the peninsula is the perfect spot to dine or sit down with a laptop. It’s also a good size with plenty of surface space, allowing the couple to use it at the same time—cooking and working face-to-face.

Meredith and Jason’s kitchen in Chelsea, Manhattan

The view from the other side of Meredith and Jason’s peninsula.

Looking to swap out the awkwardly placed island in their small kitchen, Meredith and Jason’s Sweeten general contractor suggested that they go with a wide peninsula. “As soon as I saw the drawing, I was on board with it,” said Meredith. The new kitchen peninsula doubles counter space while providing a spot for the microwave—tucking it out of sight—and plenty of deep drawers for storage. Plus, bar seating on the side facing the dining room allows Meredith to do some work and keep Jason company while he cooks. The white waterfall counter makes it an attractive statement piece as you walk in the front door.Sam and Sean’s kitchen in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Sam and Sean wanted to make their kitchen feel as large as possible, so a big island was out of the question. Instead, a small peninsula was installed to provide additional prep space and storage while adding some separation between the kitchen and main living area. The custom area was topped with butcher block to create contrast with the white Caesarstone counters used in the rest of the kitchen. Designed with three sides and three distinct purposes in mind, the kitchen peninsula is well-equipped with drawers on one side, bar seating for two on the other, and shelving for storing books on the end.

Emily and Trey’s kitchen in downtown Brooklyn

Opening up Emily and Trey’s cramped kitchen by taking down walls and removing the loft storage above it gave the couple plenty of room to work with. To make the most of the newly opened space, a wide L-shaped peninsula with a Carrara marble countertop was installed with bar seating along one side—quickly becoming a popular spot for Emily’s two kids to hang out while she cooks. Placing the kitchen sink in the peninsula was an ideal location since it faced the windows with lots of natural light and allowed ease of conversation with the family in the living area. The white column holding the intercom could not be moved, so the Sweeten contractor integrated it into the structure, transforming it into a cool architectural element.Henry’s kitchen in the West Village, Manhattan

Henry saw the potential to connect his kitchen and living room and took advantage of it, taking down a wall between the rooms and replacing it with a peninsula. Adding this structure extended his kitchen’s L-shape into a more functional and versatile U-shape. Beyond expanding storage and prep space, the main attraction is the range, placed in the center, and hood overhead, making it a more sociable spot from which to cook. As a bonus, Henry tucked a front-loading washer and dryer underneath the peninsula, making them both easily accessible from the living room. That’s one hard-working peninsula!

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If you have the clearance for a kitchen island—or simply prefer it—check out these 5 custom kitchen islands in Sweeten homes for some enviable inspiration.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post The Kitchen Peninsula, 5 Ways appeared first on Sweeten.

Cabinet construction may well end up being the single biggest expense of your entire renovation, and the results are the most obvious visual proof of your investment, so this can feel like a heavy decision. The challenge (and opportunity) is that your choices are endless, but if you focus on a few key factors, you can find the right cabinets for your kitchen renovation.

IKEA cabinets in Laura and Matthew’s kitchen renovation.

While it’s tempting to assume that your budget is the only consideration and while it’s true that custom cabinets can be (much, much) more expensive than stock cabinets, they don’t have to be. Even the cheapest kitchen is an enormous investment, so if budget isn’t necessarily the deciding factor, how should you decide and how can you keep your budget from dictating your choices? First, a few definitions.

Should you go with custom or pre-fabricated cabinets?

Stock cabinets

IKEA is widely considered the go-to for stock cabinets. Unlike almost anyone else, they mass-produce a system of set sizes, colors, finishes, and features that you pick and choose. The pieces of your order are pulled from stock supplies and shipped to your home, where you need to handle both the assembly and installation. IKEA keeps its costs low because they are sending your order to you in pieces and because the materials they use are very inexpensive.

Pre-fabricated cabinets

Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other big-box national retailers are distributors of independent lines of cabinets. They offer a semi-custom option: like IKEA, you pick and choose from set sizes, colors, finishes, and features (though national retailers tend to have more options overall). Unlike IKEA, your order is then manufactured and assembled for you so that your cabinets arrive ready for installation. Because you have more choice in materials and construction, the range of prices varies more here. You will probably pay more upfront for higher-quality materials, but you may spend less on labor because the cabinets are assembled before they get to you for installation.

Custom cabinets

Custom cabinets are designed and constructed by hand based on your individual design. You define the sizes, materials, finishes, and features and your order is hand-crafted and delivered for installation. Because your choices for materials and construction are endless, the range of material and labor costs is very wide. The costs here are generally distributed between your choice of material and style, labor, and a more personalized design and customer service approach.

High-end, built-to-order cabinet systems

A small group of cabinet companies also offer cabinetry systems that are extremely high-end (Bulthaup and Henrybuilt are examples). These companies are known for beautiful and durable cabinet construction and best-in-industry warranties, but the bare minimum for even a small kitchen can easily exceed $20,000, so unlike other categories of cabinet construction, this option is only available if the starting point for your budget allows you to consider it.

Custom cabinets by Henrybuilt in Kavi and David’s kitchen.

Custom cabinets might be less expensive than you think if your kitchen has limited space, lots of space, or an unusual layout.

In a tight kitchen, stock and pre-fabricated cabinets in standard sizes might not be worth the initial material savings because you will need more inventive labor to fit everything in.

In a large kitchen, extra depth or high ceilings give you an opportunity for additional storage and functionality. Non-standard cabinet heights and depths can bring value to your renovation and re-sale value. Multiple corners, awkward niches, and unusual footprints can be tough to outfit. Stock and pre-fab cabinets in standard sizes may force you to spend money on filler materials, wasted space, and labor for semi-custom adjustments.

“If you have a kitchen with corners or small spaces or an awkward layout, you may not actually save money on the total because you end up paying for filler materials and extra work to pull everything together.” – Sweeten contractors

Custom cabinets in Eric’s kitchen designed and built by his Sweeten contractor.

Custom cabinets might be worth extra money if you plan to stay for years, have kids or a high-traffic kitchen, or want personalized support.

Semi-custom and custom cabinets offer higher quality materials in sturdier thicknesses that last longer. Particle board and MDF, two common materials for stock cabinets, are susceptible to water and have a shorter life span than plywood and wood. 1/2” particle board will not last as long as 3/4” or 1” furniture-grade plywood cabinet bases, and solid wood doors and drawers will endure tougher handling over the years.

Custom cabinets also typically use sturdier construction and joinery methods. Custom cabinetmakers will often use dovetail joints that interlock pieces of wood to distribute weight and stress more evenly, whereas stock nut, bolt, and nail methods isolate wear on a few points. They also offer options for tougher hardware elements like hinges and drawer sliders. In addition, custom cabinet makers generally provide a higher level of design support and customer assistance. They will do site visits, re-designs, and get a real person on the phone with you when you need it.

You might be absolutely fine to handle the ordering and delivery of a stock system, but if you hit a roadblock, custom cabinet companies expect to support you and respond personally.

“Once you order the IKEA materials and you pay for assembly and installation, you’re not far off from a custom option that would last longer and provide more options – for a few extra thousand dollars, you may actually get a much better deal. Each time you take one of these steps up in material quality and thickness, you have a corresponding price and life span increase.” – Sweeten Expert Alan

IKEA cabinets with custom doors by Semihandmade in Becky and Sarah’s kitchen.

Cost aside, pre-fabricated cabinets might work best for you if your renovation timeline is speedy or you feel overwhelmed by choice.

Custom cabinets have lengthier lead times. If you’re gearing up for a renovation in the next two months, you can get your hands on pre-fab cabinets in-store on a same-day basis, or delivered within two or three weeks. And, a perceived weakness of pre-fabricated cabinets is actually a real strength: for many homeowners, unlimited choice is not necessarily desirable. Many homeowners go with custom cabinets because they think they want options and then end up feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed. Pre-fabricated cabinets offer a pick-and-choose experience that requires less homework and decision fatigue.

“Many clients ask us what styles we offer and it can be hard to explain that it can be anything they imagine. Shops like ours provide personalized design as part of the overall service to build features for individual clients.” – Sweeten Experts Paulina and Albert

Still having trouble deciding? Go for a hybrid!

Combining a pre-fab kitchen with custom pieces can lower your cost without compromising on quality.

“Combining a pre-fab kitchen with custom pieces allows for lower cost and uniqueness. Companies like Semihandmade and Kokeena make door and drawer faces for stock cabinets so you’re not limited to IKEA’s palette. In addition, there are endless options for shelving, countertops, and cabinet pulls allowing for individuality while using inexpensive pre-fab cabinets.” – Sweeten Experts Lauren and Adam

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Learn about the costs involved in your kitchen remodel and try the budget estimator tool in our post Budget Basics: Kitchen Renovation Costs.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post The Surprising Truth About IKEA vs. Custom Cabinets appeared first on Sweeten.

Two rising furniture-makers with very different sensibilities made a big impression.

Colleen and Eric design lovely, playful home furnishings inspired by far-fetched ideas. Small brass rivets are recessed into the dark wood top of the “Northstar Table” like stars in the constellation. If you locate the northstar and press down on it, a secret side drawer slides open. It’s the perfect place to stash a diary, jewelry, or contraband.

Colleen and Eric’s “Hold on Tight Bookshelf” takes unlikely inspiration from the image of books toppling sideways off an open shelf. This simple maple shelf is capped at one end and has a brightly-colored, sliding metal stop at the other. The toy-like mechanism is a pretty accent and also a lot of fun. Becky couldn’t stop playing with the display model and Jean and I finally had to drag her away.

Colleen and Eric also make accessories like tote bags and keychains. Their product lines are sure to expand further as they’re struck by new ideas. It ‘ll be fun to see what they’ve come up with at next year’s fair.

In contrast, the pieces from Kai-Wei Hsu’s shop KWH Furniture take inspiration from the elemental qualities of the woods that they’re made from. The furniture in the new “Vice” line doesn’t shout out for attention. Each piece has a clear, modern sensibility and yet is so restrained so that it wouldn’t feel out of a place in a traditional interior.

The elegant “Bar Cart” is made from white oak with a cerused finish. The first thing you’re drawn to is the fine grain and stain of the wood.

Then, as you lean in closer, you understand the exquisite workmanship of the piece. The outer corners of the frame are held together with wood splices.

The similarly elegant “Vanity Table” is made from black walnut with an oil finish. Its proportions are perfectly balanced. The first think that strikes you is the sumptuous finish in the wood.

Then when you move in closer, as you’re bound to do, you see how subtly and precisely the drawers are fitted.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Kai-Wei’s designs evolve as he explores new materials and details. Whatever direction the pieces take, I’m certain they’ll all have the same immaculate craftsmanship.

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