When planning a kitchen, there are so many decisions to make…from little things like the location of cabinet hardware to bigger, more functional questions like where to locate the dishwasher.

As an avid cook and kitchen designer (in that order!), I have a definite list of must haves for my own kitchen. Here are my top 5: 1) A Tray base – stores cutting boards, cookie sheets and serving trays in an organized and easy to access 9” to 12” wide cabinet. Go a little wider and get muffin tins and rectangular casserole dish storage too.

Last month I shared my personal top 5 things I would want in my own kitchen. Now I put on my bathroom designer hat and turn my attention to my personal getaway space...the bathroom. Here is what I must have. My top 5:

One of the most important considerations when you are designing your kitchen is how and what you cook. Do you use the fry pan, a wok or grill on the cooktop for most of your meals?

Open floor plans that create a social kitchen are a big focus in kitchen design right now. Cooking is more of a communal event than ever. Family, friends and even guests are getting involved in creating a meal. Combining the kitchen with living and dining areas makes dinner a family event and opportunity to share your day over meal preparation.

Everyone knows the tree goes in the front room, the wreath on the front door and the lights outside…but what about the kitchen? The kitchen is where the real magic of the season happens for those fabulous meals and treats. Check out our list of what’s naughty and what’s nice.

It’s your kitchen. If you want to put your knobs in the center of the cabinet door that’s your prerogative. I don’t think it will look too good but I’m not going to live there. Neither is your designer, contractor, architect, cousin, neighbor, friend or anyone else you are looking to for advice.

As you already know, kitchen ideas are everywhere! Here are 3 things you can do to help your kitchen designer get started on your kitchen: 1. Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Every kitchen has a focal point. That one area that always captures peoples’ attention the moment they walk in. Or brings a smile to your own face because it looks better in your kitchen than you ever imagined it could. Most are intended. Some are not.

Nowadays the kitchen sink has been elevated to the level of appliance in the kitchen. It is no longer just a hole for water, soap and dishes. You can do so much more with the right type of kitchen sink and sink accessory. How do you know what’s right for you?

Quick, can you name the Thanksgiving feast served by Charlie Brown for all of his friends? If you are thinking 2 slices of buttered toast, some pretzel sticks, a handful of popcorn and a few jelly beans you were correct!

Kitchen backsplashes are often one of the last items installed in the kitchen, but it can have a profound impact on your entire kitchen design. Kitchen backsplashes are not just wall protection anymore. They’re a chance to jazz up your kitchen and express yourself!

I frequently have clients who think they want white cabinets for their kitchen but are afraid to commit. They worry that white cabinets will be boring or go out of style. Well, I’m here to tell you that in my humble opinion, nothing could be further from the truth!

Any kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling project requires great communication and teamwork. Get a homeowner, interior designer, kitchen designer and craftsman in one room (preferably a kitchen!) and the ideas can start flying. The right teamwork though can pull all of that together into a real dream kitchen!

So you know you’re planning to remodel your kitchen. And you’ve got most of your vision in mind. You’re missing one key element, though, and you don’t know what you need. It’s the kitchen sink. So that means you’ve got everything but the kitchen sink. Literally. Kitchen sinks are often forgotten in the process when designing a kitchen, with so many...

Alright. You know you’re going to do it. It’s time to remodel your bathroom. You’re tired of waking up everyday, walking inside the bathroom, and sighing. And not just because you had to get out of bed. But because you’re tired of the poor lighting, the dingy shower, the cramped space. Time to change! But before you go rushing into hiring your cont...

January is all about focusing on the year ahead and making resolutions. So, what does the year ahead look like for your home? Is it time to make a change? If you want to keep on trend, there are a few key things that you should be paying attention to. And those things are the pointers that are coming out of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show that’s h...

The number one question that you want to know when doing a kitchen remodel? How much is it going to cost? And you know the answer that’s frustrating... it depends. We all know that’s the worst. Of course it depends on what type of remodeling you’re doing. But you still want to know how much your remodel is going to cost.  

Designing and remodeling a bathroom is one of the most popular remodeling projects today. It can be both fun and challenging. You have some ideas about what you like…and some that you dream about for your bathroom. To help you get started on your new bathroom, we’ve given you a few easy steps to get started:

Think about it. You are cooking, hosting, and moving dishes and plates around.  You are touching everything… countertops, fridge handles, faucets, and more. With the non-stop activity your kitchen endures, when was the last time that you really cleaned your kitchen well? We are not just talking washing dishes and wiping off the countertops here.  A...

When you are remodeling your kitchen or your bathroom, you really just want to know what you should expect. There are so many ideas, decisions and moving parts. You are getting information from so many different places. We are confident you have been hearing stories from every person you know that has remodeled anything.   Deciphering remodeling my...

Let’s say you are looking to update your kitchen. You want it to be current. You want it to be comfortable. And, you definitely want it primed and ready to handle all the cooking you want to do. Sound about right?    You bet it does!. But if your kitchen is old and outdated or poorly designed, you are probably missing out on at least one of the thi...

You’ve got your toilet, you’ve got your shower, and you’ve got your sink. Technically, that means that you’ve got yourself a bathroom. But, especially with a master bathroom, there are so many more options that you can choose to really make it your own. At Reico Kitchen & Bath, we know bathrooms. And we really know what to add to your master bathro...

Your kitchen.  It is where you cook.  It is where you gather.  It is where you store your food.  It is the place you go to start your day early in the morning to cook your breakfast and where you end that same day up late at night for a snack. So when you decide you are doing a kitchen remodel,  all of these every day activities get put on hold for...

Phase 2: Ordering, Scheduling & Permits We’ve ordered your kitchen cabinets. Now hurry up…and wait. Congratulations! You’ve made all your decisions, finalized the design and signed off on your order. All the excitement that has built up to this point now…has…to…wait. Product lead times for kitchen cabinets can range depending on the type of cabinet...

What everyone needs... Kitchen Cabinet Accessories to organize, store and more! Truly customize your kitchen with finding the kitchen cabinet accessories that will make your new kitchen the most functional, efficient and fun to use space it can be. With the help of Kitchen & Bath Industry Expert Sarah Reep and some of our cabinet manufacturers, we ...

The 2 finish kitchen - bringing more color into the kitchen Bringing color into the kitchen is always one of the most interesting challenges (and opportunities!) of a kitchen design. We already know that color can come from so many different or unusual things. These kitchen design ideas can come from almost anywhere in the kitchen. It can be a uniq...

Kitchen Safety - 4 kitchen design ideas to accomodate kids in the kitchen How many of us design the kitchen with our kids in mind? We’re busy in the kitchen and all of sudden a little hand goes up or tugs on our apron asking to help. How sweet! Regardless, when we are in the kitchen we want them close by anyway, whether it is just to keep an eye on...

5 Bathroom Design Ideas to make your space feel bigger For most of us, we are constantly looking for ways to make our bathroom feel bigger. For some of us, it is a space issue…where we dream of having just a little bit (or a lot) more. For others, it is an organization issue. A bathroom that feels big enough quickly becomes cluttered, busy and full...

Selecting Kitchen Appliances Selecting kitchen appliances is a critical driver to the kitchen design process. Finding and selecting your kitchen appliances first in the process helps identify space, gas/electrical locations and design requirements to create the right kitchen design for your space. Appliances are often considered the “jewelry” of th...

6 Kitchen Storage Ideas to maximize your own kitchen space Whether you have a small kitchen, are losing a wall to open up more space or just seem to have a lot of “stuff”, having the proper kitchen storage is a concern in every kitchen. Here are 6 ideas to consider that can help maximize your kitchen storage space: Cabinet Accessories for your Kitc...

Kitchen Design Ideas to help you create your own Kitchen focal point Every kitchen has a focal point. That one area that always captures peoples’ attention the moment they walk in. Or brings a smile to your own face because it looks better in your kitchen than you ever imagined it could. Most are intended. Some are not.Whether it is a broader point...

The 3 phases to a kitchen remodeling project Your head is filled with ideas from websites, TV shows, design magazines and more. So what is the next step to bring your kitchen remodeling ideas to life? The Reico Process There are typically 3 phases to your kitchen remodeling project: Information Gathering, Design & Pricing Ordering, Scheduling & Per...

The budgeting question everyone wants to know... How much is this going to cost? Regardless of how excited we are, many of our thoughts about remodeling come back to the same question every time.  How much? How much does a kitchen remodel cost? How much does a bathroom remodel cost?  Generally speaking, determining remodeling costs is often guided ...

Shaker Style Kitchen and Bathrooms Kitchens and bathrooms in the Shaker style offer a simple, classic look that works between traditional and contemporary, much like the transitional design style. The shaker style features flat panel doors in with wide cabinet rails and stiles in maple, birch, oak and more. This distinctive look offers clean, crisp...

Traditional Kitchens and Bathrooms Traditional kitchen and bathroom designs and cabinets rarely if ever go out of style. Its' classic style and symmetry creates a calm, orderly décor for any kitchen or bathroom. Traditional kitchens and bathrooms have the formal, elegant look characteristic of the American and European homes of the 18th, 19th and e...

Coastal Kitchens and Bathrooms When we think of a Coastal design style for kitchens and bathrooms, what comes to mind first? Is it the warm sunshine brightening up the space? Is the airy, open feeling we get from being on or near the water. Is it the blue-green seaside inspired palette of colors that can show up anywhere…on walls, fabrics, furnitur...

French Country Kitchens (and sometimes Bathrooms) With earth tones and natural materials portraying the beauty and character of France, the French Country design style perfectly blends comfortable living with authentic cooking in the kitchen. Cozy and rustic, French Country kitchens have a near timeless appeal. You'll find wide-planked floors, anti...

Transitional Kitchens and Bathrooms Transitional design looks to fuse both contemporary and traditional design styles for kitchens and bathrooms, combining the clean, sleek lines of contemporary with the style and history of traditional design. Not too much of either, transitional kitchens and bathrooms are for those who want their style somewhere ...

Let's find your design style There are a number of options to consider when finding the right design style for your new kitchen or bathroom. From Traditional and Modern to Eclectic and French Country, settling on a design style is an important early step in the remodeling process. What’s popular? Transitional design, that allows you to blend elemen...

Finding the right design ideas or your own design style When planning your new kitchen or bathroom, finding the right design ideas or your own design style is a hard but important early step in the remodeling process.  Trends are helpful but should not be your only resource for getting ideas.  Whether you need small kitchen design ideas or a tradit...

Kitchen Cabinet Accessory Ideas - Glass and Vertical Cabinet Doors Two of the simplest ways to change the look of your kitchen can be achieved simply by changing the look or function of some doors. Glass Doors – Easily change the look of your kitchen. Glass doors can be a bright contrast to a darker finish or add a focal point to a wall of cabinets...