4th of July is just around the corner, and there are a lot of decor ideas that can be added to your kitchen. Whether you’re throwing a party yourself or going somewhere else, it never hurts to get in the spirit of 4th of July! Here are a few decor tips and some that you can use throughout the entire summer!

• Go Metallic

Gold and silver metallic fit right in with 4th of July decor and can be used without it as well. Incorporate metallic accents such as candle holders, stars, and pillows for the window bench. Even with all the red, white, and blue specific decor, these accents will blend in all summer.

• Use Mason Jars

There are so many things you can do with mason jars, and they are not too pricey either! You could paint them red and blue and even add some variety with white stars or stripes. Use them as flower vases or to hold straws, napkins, or cutlery. Another way to use mason jars is to simply tie red and blue ribbon on them. It’s an instant 4th of July decoration that can easily be taken apart for another use.

• Don’t Forget the American Flag

For 4th of July decorations, the American flag is a must have. Get mini ones and use those decorated mason jars to hold them. Or have a giant flag hanging in your kitchen. It could even be incorporated in a food you make, like a cake or a fruit platter.

• Get Out the Lanterns

Lanterns are a great and easy way to decorate your kitchen. Get a clear one and fill it with red and blue marbles. It can then be used in a different season with seasonal flowers. Rustic lanterns are also a fun way to decorate as they fit right in with the 4th of July decor and can be spruced up by adding a red or blue candle in the middle or with patriotic ribbons on the top.
If your kitchen is outdated and needs a quick remodel so you can decorate the way you want, Sound Finish will paint or refinish your kitchen cabinets!

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

Updating your bathroom design doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are ways to refresh your bathroom on a low budget. Here are 7 ideas to get you started.

Choose a Cheap Tile Option

Tile is essential when remodeling a bathroom, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot. There are a lot of different types of tile that are reasonably priced. If you have your heart set on an expensive tile then use it as an accent strip. You’ll still get the tile you want but without the high cost.

Selective Splurging

It’s okay to splurge a little as long as you look for other ways to save money. If there is a large list of items that are must-haves, try to cut it down to 1 or 2 things. This will lower your cost significantly, and you’ll appreciate those items more than ever.

Buy Used

Instead of buying items that are brand new, look for deals on ebay or craigslist. There are a lot of options out there that can be fixed up to what you want them to be.

Paint or Refinish

Cabinets are probably the first thing you notice when you walk into a bathroom. If they are old and outdated, consider painting or refinishing them instead of replacing them completely. It will save a big chunk of money and will instantly freshen up the bathroom.

Update Fixtures

This is a very easy way to update your bathroom for a low price, especially if you install them yourself. Outdated fixtures tend to have a big impact on the look of a bathroom. Replace your faucets, towel bars, and drawer pulls with something that fits your style.

Refresh the Grout & Caulk

Grimy grout doesn’t look very appealing. A simple cleaning can go a long way, as well as adding straight, clean lines of caulk around the tub and sink. This will instantly clean up the entire bathroom, making it shine.

Redo, Don’t Buy New

Instead of buying a brand new tub, have it professionally relined. It is much cheaper and will look like new. But when it comes to sink and shower fixtures, it actually costs more to refinish them as opposed to buying them new. So do your research to get the best price.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

This week, we’d like to share with you two recent kitchen makeovers we’ve worked on. The first, the homeowner requested that their dark wood cabinets be painted white.

The new look is fantastic! You can easily see how the white cabinets brighten and open up the kitchen.

For the next kitchen makeover, the homeowner opted for a two-tone look, which has become very popular the past few years:

An incredible transformation. The gray chosen for the kitchen island perfectly compliments the stone tile flooring, creating a cohesive feel. Previously, the kitchen felt somewhat unfinished and incomplete, but now it looks clean, modern, and spacious.

Want to see more cabinet makeovers? Check out one of our previous jobs, a maple to white cabinet painting, or browse our before & after gallery.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

Summer is a popular time for house-hunting, so it’s important to have your house staged and ready to sell. Homes that are staged spend 78% less time on the market. Home staging easily pays off because homes that are staged sell for 11% higher than homes that aren’t. Here are 5 important summer home staging tips:

Clean Up the Outside

The first thing potential buyers see of a house on the market is the outside. So mow your lawn, put on a fresh coat of paint if needed, and get a new welcome mat. Curb appeal can make it or break it when it comes down to deciding whether or not to buy a house.

Make the Inside Spotless

It’s just as important to clean up the inside of the home. A dirty home will turn off potential buyers. Get the carpets steam cleaned, deep clean the baseboards and blinds, scrub all the dirt and grime off the floors, and make your windows sparkle.

Let the Light In

A dark house can come off as gloomy. Raise all of the blinds and let the light shine through. This is very important for the kitchen. Buyers love a bright kitchen. If your cabinets are old and dark, consider getting them professionally painted. An updated kitchen can significantly increase the value of your home.

Go Neutral With Pops of Brightness

Color can either draw a person in or drive them away. So when it comes down to the colors that are staying in the house, keep it neutral. To liven it up, add pops of color with the decorations you choose to display. A potential buyer knows that all the decorations are a personal preference, but a bad paint color could cause them to move on to another home.

Maximize Space

The best way to maximize space is to declutter. Empty your cabinets and closets of anything that isn’t appealing to the eye. A good rule to go by is to leave 20-30% of open space in a closet or cabinet to make it look more spacious. Too much furniture in a room can make it feel much smaller. Remove any unnecessary furniture to open up a living room or bedroom.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

Kitchen remodeling can be expensive, with prices ranging from $18,500 to $54,000. Redoing your cabinets is on average one-third to one-half of the kitchen remodel cost. There are a number of options for redoing your cabinets, and some options can save you money.

Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing your kitchen cabinets is the most costly option for a cabinet makeover. It generally takes about two weeks because of all the extra work that goes into it. When replacing kitchen cabinets, everything has to leave the kitchen. That includes countertops, oven, stove, dishwasher, and all other appliances. Since everything is out of they way you have the option of changing the layout of your kitchen, but if you choose this option then you need to consider the costs of moving any plumbing and electrical. Completely replacing old cabinets with new kitchen cabinets depends on what type of cabinets you choose.

• Stock cabinets start at $4,000 and go up from there.
• Sem-custom cabinets range from $8,000 to $10,000.
• Custom-made cabinets start at $16,000 and go up from there.

While it is a very expensive option, you will have a brand new kitchen.

Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

How much you pay for refacing depends on the size of your kitchen, just like any cabinet makeover. Refacing your kitchen cabinets is less hassle than tearing them out completely, but it still takes a week on average. There are a couple of options when refacing your cabinets. Rigid thermofoil (RTF) doors, which feature a durable plastic coating over fiberboard, are an affordable alternative to wood or laminate doors. Plastic laminate, which comes in hundreds of colors and patterns, are durable and moisture resistant. Real wood veneers come in oak, maple, cherry and many more. You can also choose from an array of stain colors. Wood veneers are the most expensive option and must be sealed very carefully to protect against moisture. Professional cabinet refacing cost for an average size kitchen starts at $1,000 to $3,000 for laminate. If you choose to use real wood veneer, costs range from $2,500 to $6,000. It can get even more costly up to $9,000 for a large kitchen with high-quality wood veneers.

SAVE by Repainting or Refinishing Your Kitchen Cabinets

If your cabinets are still in good condition then repainting or refinishing them is the best option. Repainting or refinishing your kitchen cabinets is a fraction of the cost of replacing or refacing them. There are hundreds of paint colors to choose from as well as a variety of stain color finishes.

Sound Finish uses a process to repaint or refinish your kitchen cabinets that is simple and easy. They use a dust free, hassle free process that will leave your cabinets looking like new. Most kitchen projects are completed within two days! Repainting or refinishing is an inexpensive investment. You can save yourself thousands by choosing this option and get a kitchen that will raise the value of your home. Sound Finish restores the natural beauty of your existing cabinets and make them shine.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

Paint with high levels of VOC has proven to have harmful effects on people, so it is important that when choosing a paint, you choose one with low or no VOC.

What is VOC?

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. They are chemicals that release a gas from certain materials and liquids. You’ve probably been around VOC and haven’t known it. It’s what causes that “new car smell.” This gas is emitted from many products, including paint. As paint dries, the chemical is released into the air, causing air pollution inside of your home. Other products also emit VOCs including adhesives, cleaning supplies, and some home furnishings. These chemicals hang around your home, sometimes for years, polluting the air and causing health problems.

Harmful Effects of VOCs

Breathing in VOC chemicals can cause many harmful effects. Some of the short-term effects include:

• Eye, nose, & throat irritation
• Headaches
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Allergic skin reactions
• Fatigue
• Worsened asthma symptoms

 
There are also some long-term effects such as an increased risk of:

• Cancer
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Central nervous system damage

 
These harmful effects are especially dangerous for pregnant women as it can reduce the IQ of developing fetuses.

Sound Finish Uses Only Low VOC Paint

When painting, it is important to select a paint that has low levels of VOC. Sound Finish cares about your health and the environment, so that’s why they only use paints with low levels of VOC. Choosing Sound Finish to repaint your kitchen cabinets is your first step in reducing VOCs in your home. Sound Finish uses low VOC paint on your kitchen cabinets so you can stay safe from these harmful effects.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

The main characteristic of shabby chic is distressed furniture. While this is the key, there are a number of things you can do to add to your shabby chic kitchen design. Here are a few design tips to achieve the perfect shabby chic kitchen.

Furniture

Again, we can’t stress this enough. To instantly make your kitchen shabby chic, add a piece of distressed furniture such as a kitchen table. If you can’t find a distressed table then a wood grain top table will work as a great accent piece. Don’t forget to paint the rest of the table a soft white or another neutral color. The combination of the paint and the wood top will be a perfect shabby chic piece. This will add an elegant but rural feel to your kitchen.

Color Scheme

The color scheme is crucial for a shabby chic design. It mainly consists of neutral white colors. They don’t all have to be the same shade either – in fact, different shades are encouraged. The white color scheme unites the “shabby” with the “chic”. Some things you can add around your aged furniture are vintage picture frames, lace curtains, and old-timey doors just as an accent piece to lean against the wall.

Vibrant Accents

While neutral whites are the main color scheme, there needs to be pops of color. Having vibrant colors will make the place seem more welcoming. An easy way to add color is to use plants. By simply placing a live plant on a stool or next to a bench it will add more dimension to the space.

Be Bold

Having a shabby chic themed kitchen is all about not being afraid to have some fun with your decorations. By hanging things on the walls that wouldn’t normally be wall decorations, you can add your own unique flare to your shabby chic style. You could hang an old hat with ribbons and flowers on it or a vintage dress.

Polished Rustic

Sometimes the items we find are a little bit too rustic. But with a bit of paint, the items can be spruced up but still have that vintage feel. For example, you could paint a classic chandelier with a matte paint making it polished and rustic at the same time.

Antique Style

Antiques are a great edition to any shabby chic kitchen design. Dedicate a small area for your tarnished silver collection. Fill it with an old serving tray and picture frames to add some personable items.

Kitchen Cabinet Style

Your kitchen cabinets are probably the first thing noticed about a kitchen, so it’s important to have them painted or refinished in order to achieve the shabby chic style. Painting your kitchen cabinets a soft white will bring you much closer to your shabby chic goals. If you have an island in your kitchen, the island cabinets can be painted a neutral green or gray-blue to add some color. Another option is to refinish the kitchen cabinets and paint the island kitchen cabinets as an accent piece. If you want to do a complete remodel of your kitchen, butcher block counter-tops are a great way to get the shabby chic style.

 
Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services is your first step to a shabby chic kitchen design.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

In order to best light your kitchen, you need to make a plan. Lighting can be used to create ambiance. The key to good kitchen lighting is to use different types of lighting such as overall lighting to light the room, task lighting for a specific area you’re working in, and accent lighting to bring focus to a certain place in the room. It is also important to layer your lights. How you light your kitchen depends on a number of things. Here’s a few tips on how to do it:

Color Matters

Something that should be considered when lighting your kitchen is the color of your kitchen. White reflects light and bounces it back to the room making the space feel bigger and brighter. If there are a lot of white surfaces in your kitchen you could lower the wattage of your light bulbs or even cut back the number of fixtures and still have a well lit kitchen. Another thing to consider is what color lighting your are using. Incandescent lighting gives off a warm, yellowish color, so if you have light colored cabinets, you may want to go with a natural white light so your cabinets don’t have a yellow glow to them. Warm light will look better with a darker kitchen because the yellow effect will be toned down.

Kitchen Size

The number of fixtures and placement of fixtures greatly depends on the size and layout of your kitchen. Taller ceilings and darker finishes call for more light, while smaller kitchens and lighter finishes don’t need as much light. It helps to see what you’re doing in the places you’re working.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is a must in large kitchens. It is generally used over the stove, the sink, and over the counters, and over any table or island.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is a way to get creative with your lighting. It can be used to bring a wall of cabinetry to life by accenting collectibles in glass covered cabinets. There are also a variety of styles, shapes and sizes of pendant lights that could add some decor to your kitchen. Pendants can also help with layering your lighting above tables and islands. Changing pendant lighting is cheaper than changing your counter tops so if you’re getting tired of your color scheme, you can switch it up for not too much money.

Under Cabinet Lighting

Fluorescent lighting sheds an even light on counter tops, making a well-lit work area. Choosing the color of this light is important since some lights can make food look unappealing. To find the best light visit a lighting store, look at a piece of fruit under different lights, and choose the one that looks the most natural.

 
These guidelines are a good start on how to light your kitchen. If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, Sound Finish can do it right!

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

The colors in your home are a direct reflection of your personality. It affects us every day because room color can influence our moods and thoughts. Certain colors or groups of colors tend to get the same reaction from most people. Here are what some of the colors mean and whether or not you should paint your kitchen cabinets that color.

• Red

Red is an intense and powerful color that will get your blood pressure rising. It is full of energy and can draw people together and stimulate conversation. But since it can pump you full of adrenaline, it can also increase your appetite. If you’re watching your weight, then this isn’t the best choice for kitchens. But if you’re wanting a kitchen full of energy then it will suit you perfectly.

• Blue

Blue is said to bring down your blood pressure making it a calming color. It is also considered unappetizing since blue is rarely found in nature. This would work great if you’re watching your weight since it will curve your appetite and slow down your metabolism. If you want a balance then paint your kitchen cabinets a light blue-gray and have a warmer color, like red, as accent decorations.

• Yellow

Yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness. In small spaces it can feel expansive and welcoming. Even though it’s a cheery color, it’s not a good choice for main color schemes. Studies show that people are more likely to lose their temper in a yellow interior. In large amounts it tends to create feelings of frustration and anger. So painting your kitchen cabinets yellow could be hazardous, especially with sharp knives at arms length. 😉

• Orange

Orange is an energy booster. It evokes excitement and enthusiasm. If you’re not too fond of cooking, then painting your kitchen cabinets orange may help you enjoy it more.

• Purple

Darker purples are rich and sophisticated and are associated with luxury and creativity. Lighter purples bring a restful quality to the room. If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, lighter purples may not be the way to go as they can make you tired. Better to leave purple to the bedrooms.

• Green

Green has a calming effect when used as a main color. It is believed to relieve stress by helping people relax. Green can be the perfect color for your kitchen if you tend to get stressed out while cooking. It also invokes thoughts of healthy eating making mealtimes and snacking balanced.

• Neutrals

Neutral colors like grays, whites, and tans are probably your safest bet when choosing a color to paint your kitchen cabinets because they are flexible. You can always add accent colors to liven up the kitchen when you have neutral colors to work with.

 
These guidelines are a good starting point in your search for a paint color. Keep in mind that color choice is a very personal matter; you are the one who has to live with your new paint color, so choose a hue that suits you, your family and your lifestyle.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!

 
Spring brings the promise of a fresh start through sunshine and showers. It also brings plenty of opportunity to stage your home and make fresh updates that are most attractive to buyers. Here are some home staging tips to make your home sell for top dollar.

1. Clean Up The Yard – The first thing potential buyers see when they drive up is your yard. That means cleaning up winter debris is a must and possibly re-landscaping if needed. Get frost resistant plants in case another cold spell hits, or invest in silk flowers to bring some color to your yard that you don’t have to worry about watering. If you plan on moving out immediately then hire a landscaper to keep up the yard.
2. Spring Cleaning Is A Must – Winter can be dirty with boots with mud tracking through the house. Do a deep clean around the whole house – cleaning all the nooks and crannies. Floors take a lot of abuse during the winter. Give your carpets a thorough cleaning, buff out any worn spots on wood floors, and don’t forget to clean your windows.
   In order to do a good job with cleaning, de-cluttering is essential. Pack up your winter clothes and start putting things you don’t need in boxes. Clean out the closets so they look neat and organized. A clean home will impress buyers and make your home more appealing.
3. Clear Off The Kitchen Counters – It may be convenient to have your cookbooks and toaster out for easy access, but it just looks cluttered to buyers. Clear your counters of everything but a bowl a fresh fruit for an accent of color.
4. Swap Dark Colors For Bright Ones – During the winter, we tend to bring out all the big heavy blankets and have them all over the house. Put those away and bring out bright shawl throws, and add some decorative floral pillows. Get some inexpensive staging items like towels, candles, and table settings in lavender, yellow, sage green, and pale blue colors.
5. Let The Sun Shine In – Nothing says spring like a room full of sunshine. Open up the curtains and blinds for instant brightness. If it’s a rainy day turn on all the lights for a showing.
6. Bring Spring Aromas Into Your Home – Even if your home looks amazing, it won’t do any good if it doesn’t smell good. Use candles, plug in air fresheners, or fresh cut flowers to make your home smell like spring. You could even bake some cookies to make it smell homey.
7. Spruce Up The Entryway – You may go in and out of your home through the garage, but potential buyers will enter through the front door. If your welcome mat is covered in dirt, get a fresh bright one to replace it. Take down winter wreaths and add a spring themed welcome sign for the door.

Sound Finish Professional Cabinet Painting and Refinishing Services

Sound Finish Provides the highest quality cabinet coatings in the industry because cabinet coatings are our primary focus and our specialty. With 20+ years of experience, our unique system paints your kitchen cabinets in 2-3 days!
Learn more and schedule a consultation today!