1. Choices in Countertops

Countertops grab attention, which helps explain why most kitchen and bath remodels include new ones. If you choose wisely, they can last for years, giving you lots of bang for your buck. With new options, picking can be frustrating or fun, depending on your point of view.

Quartz – also referred to as engineered stone, Cambria, Ceaser Stone, or other quartz products. Low maintenance and don’t need resealing.

Granite – is best if you are looking for a natural stone appearance. If properly sealed it can resist stains.

Tile – is best for use near stoves. It is heat-resistant but can chip easily.

Read about & see more options by clicking here.

2. Choices in Sinks

Kitchen sinks now come in more shapes, sizes, depths, and materials than ever before. Consider these important factors when selecting your sink. Choosing the material for your sink is a decision that is both practical and aesthetic. Your sink will experience a lot of heavy usage so you’ll want one with a sturdy surface that maintains its appearance over a long period of time. Below are some materials to consider.

Stainless – offers a great balance of cost, durability, usability, and ease of cleaning.

Copper – is a high durable metal that does not rust or tarnish and requires little maintenance. Although it will develop a patina over the years depending on the use and care. Copper is naturally antibacterial, this can help with eliminating odors.

Silgranite – is made of a mixture of materials that provide a sturdy, low-maintenance surface that looks and feels like stone. Silgranite is less porous thus allowing it to be more resilient to staining over time.

Solid Surface – sinks are reinforced with a high-strength composite backing and have no ridges to collect grime.

Cast Iron – retain heat well and make washing dishes easier. They are very heavy and require a sturdy counter.

3. Wood Choices

Wood species in all finishes will exhibit color changes when exposed to different types of light and environments over time. Through this natural process, graining differences, mineral streaks, and color variations can be expected in wood cabinetry. Our door styles often exhibit these natural and beautiful characteristics that are inherent in all wood cabinetry.

Understanding these unique variations will give you a greater appreciation for the natural beauty of wood cabinetry. Please take a moment to discover the natural traits that are most common in your favorite wood species with these helpful design tips.

Alder – an extremely soft hardwood of medium density. Colors range from light brown with a yellow tinge to light brown with a reddish tinge.

Cherry – an elegant, multi-colored hardwood. In its raw state, it has a pinkish-brown hue with occasional shades of white, pink, or even gray.

Maple – is a strong, close-grained wood that is predominantly off-white in color, although it also contains light hues of yellow-brown and pink.

Birch – is a medium-density hardwood with a distinct, moderate grain pattern that ranges from straight to wavy or curly.

Hickory – also called Pecan, is a strong, open-grained wood that is known for its flowing grain pattern and dramatic variation in color.

Oak – has a prominent open grain that ranges in color from white to yellow and reddish-brown.

Walnut – is an exceptionally beautiful and stable hardwood with grain patterns that range from straight to varied; providing striking depth when finished in natural tones.

We also have custom wood selections available in Bamboo, Quarter Sawn Oak & Mahogany, and Lyptus.

4. Organization

To get a handle on clutter or to keep paperwork and projects from piling up, many companies specialize in home organization. Everything has its place in today’s designs, so be sure to research the newest technologies and organization solutions for your next kitchen or bathroom project.

Roll Out Shelves – Roll out shelves provide an ease of being able to reach to the very back of your cabinets allowing for full use of your cabinetry.

Pull Out Spice and Tray Racks –  these units allow for maximum organization in lower cabinetry. Pulling in and out, with dual side access store cooking trays, spices, knifes, cooking utensils and more!

Organizational – Organize all of the products and items in your kitchen and bathroom and any area of your house where you have cabinets!

Full Extension Guides – allows you to use the entire drawer box for storage from front to way back. It fully extends out to you.

Recycle Center – having your trash can roll out to you with a second can behind it to throw away your plastics or cans .

Lazy Susan – rotating shelves, which all turn together, or independently rotating shelves, which turn by themselves.

5. Aesthetic (Wow Factor)

Today’s contemporary designs allow for vibrant splashes of color in the kitchen and bathroom. Through vivid backsplashes, countertops, appliances and cabinetry inserts and overlays, designers can incorporate the newest and hottest colors into any design. A wide range of color is now being used to evoke emotion and set the tone for your next project.

Moldings and Accents – Nothing creates furniture looks like decorative moldings.

Vintage Paint Finish – A multi-step painted finish that adds the patina and general characteristics of age to painted cabinetry.

Glass Inserts – can make a kitchen feel lighter and more open, and frosted glass masks clutter too.

Flutes/Columns – adds size to this area of the cabinetry and creates a dramatic focal point.

6. Islands

From serious cooks to weekend gourmets, everyone can find an island that makes cooking more efficient and personal style more evident. Choose from an array of options, from one and two-drawer style to islands with butcher block tops, carved wooden legs or feet to create the most beautiful furniture look. Get creative by mixing and matching door styles, finishes and even colors.

7. Under Cabinet Light Choices

Layered Lighting – Accent lighting placed at various heights, under-cabinet lighting, interior cabinet lighting, and above lighting combine to create a warm ambiance. Task lighting adds drama and function, while dim accent lighting softens and soothes a room. Each layer of lighting serves a different purpose, which can balance, enhance, and give flexibility to a room.

Illuminated Backsplashes/Countertops – Energy-efficient LED technology has sparked a new craze in accent lighting. Glass backsplashes are being lit from behind and glass countertops are being lit from below. With no heat or UV emissions, these countertops and backsplashes offer warm tones, daylight ambiance, or colored LED lighting options, allowing your designs to truly shine. LED lighting can also act as a great nightlight. They are cool to the touch so you can feel comfortable leaving them on for however long you choose.

Above & Below Lighting – linkable light strips placed above and below the cabinetry creates a soft and inviting glow in every room.

Decorative Lighting Sets – Elegant decorative task lighting sets are mounted over your cabinets and shelves to create subtle lighting in your home. Or we can string rope lighting above your cabinets for a beautiful ambiance lighting effect.

Visit our showroom to see working examples of all these lighting choices and more!

Ready to Transform Your Kitchen?

At Southwest Kitchen & Bath, we’re here to bring your dream kitchen to life. Whether you’re looking to refresh your space with a modern touch or need expert guidance for a full redesign, our team is ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s start designing a kitchen that’s functional, beautiful, and uniquely yours. Don’t wait—your perfect kitchen is just a call away!