Smart Design in Your Home

Current lifestyle trends, whether it may be empty nesters, first time home buyers, Lots of things have left people with smaller spaces. A solution to this mainstream problem is designing “smarter.” Many elements work together to construct a design that encompasses several ideas that not only look amazing but are very practical at the same time. With smaller spaces using technology, organization and lighting is a great way to create storage solutions that make use of every inch of space.

The best part about all the new accessories is that it’s not just limited to the kitchen. It can be used throughout every room in the home. This is important because the kitchen is not the only room that needs space maximized, and by excelling in technology, organization and lighting, a room’s accessibility can be transformed.

Technology

The advances in technology have opened up the opportunity to make life a little easier. Cooking, a lot of times, leaves you with your hands messy or full. With features such as touch to lift, touch to light,

touch to open and touch to close, a solution is provided for this mainstream problem. Another neat possibility with technology is the ability to bring items down and up with the push of a button. Cabinet shelves that lower to the countertop and lift back up for convenience and closet rods that lower and lift maximizing space that otherwise would go untouched. Electronic closet rod allows maximization of high ceiling closets as well as convenience for everyone! These lifts provides accessible heights with the push of a button to better assist the task at hand.

Organization

Organization is key when making the most use of small spaces. With so many storage solution kits and accessories, there is guaranteed to be a place for every item! Also, when spaces are kept organized, locating items becomes much easier. Components such as drawer dividers, tray dividers, spice rack pullout cabinets and sliding shelves are only a few of the items that can aid in organization. Remember to be creative! Who says that a draw divider can’t be useful in a craft room? Find organization that works well for you and stick to it!

Lighting

The right amount of lighting not only complements cabinets to show the true beauty of the wood, but it also provides the function of making things easier to see. This alone can save space because it gives you access to locate items in all areas of the cabinets. Lighting is an element that is often overlooked, but really does provide function to cabinets.

Lighting for under cabinets, in cabinets, and in drawers!

Touch to Open

Another option for convenience is our Touch to Open feature.  Drawer base cabinet with touch to open technology allows users to simply touch the front of the drawer that they want to access, and it glides open, eliminating the need to grab any hardware. When the drawer is pressed in, a small motor activates the door to open. This makes this Smart Design feature the perfect solution for homeowners with mobility or motor challenges, or for those of us simply looking for a little extra help in the kitchen. Touch to Open feature allows users to simply touch the front of the drawer they want to access and it glides open.

Electronic Charging Stations

It’s a technology filled world and all those devices need their own place to rest and recharge. So why not give them one? Include a Charging Drawer Station into your design and provide yourself with a

dedicated area specifically for your technology. Many base, desk and vanity cabinets 21” wide or wider can get the Charging Drawer Station in it or added to an area. This option installs an in-drawer electrical outlet into the top  drawer and includes two outlets and two USB ports to charge most any personal technology device (phone, tablet, MP3 player, etc.) in the drawer. Charging Stations inside drawers help keep our items safe and out of the way while charging.

When dreaming up your new home or remodel, try to think of ways that Smart Design can be incorporated in each space!

To see all of our product offerings visit one of our showrooms 

     Bessemer Showroom                          Homewood Showroom                       Tuscaloosa Showroom

1240 Raimund Muscoda Road                 2901 18^th Street South                              701 21^st Ave

 Bessemer, AL 35020                           Homewood, AL 35209                      Tuscaloosa, AL 35402

Minutes from Ross Bridge                         Next to O’Carr’s                              Inside Cabiness Paint    
      205-481-1003                                         205-871-2066                                   205-434-9044

Beware of Imported Cabinetry

While imported cabinets are priced about 15% less for a similar quality American made cabinets it is hard to argue with a better product for less money. However, let’s look a little closer at the whole picture. 

Chinese Imported Cabinets have low quality by using a 5 ply panel stock that is weak and delaminates in a few years or upon getting wet. Formaldehyde weakens any glue and they use plenty of these dangerous toxins when manufacturing their plywood. Screws and nails do not do well in the assembly of plywood, therefore biscuits are recommended.  

 Chinese cabinets are laden with formaldehyde, sulfur, lead content and other glue resins which are illegal for American manufacturers to use because they are banned by the EPA and violate the CARB initiative. Chinese import cabinets are illegal in California (section 93120.12(d)(A)1.) because of their high formaldehyde content. The Chinese have no environmental restrictions or health organizations like we have here. Yet we allow those products to be imported here without question. People exposed to formaldehyde are at great risk of cancer at worse and asthma at best. Other glues and resins used in the manufacture of Chinese brand cabinets are banned in the USA but permitted to be imported. This includes other products like Chinese made sheetrock/drywall which also have thousands of documented cases of families getting sick and even several deaths.

Chinese Cabinets have a low quality finish. The finish almost looks like the cabinets were used. In some cases the finish appears dull and thin. The finishes seem to have an orange cast caused from using cheap lacquers. They do not use hardening agents in their clear coat. Hardening agents also allow the finish to dry instantly preventing dust to settle on the finish. You could scratch their doors with your finger nail. Or apply finger nail polish remover and watch the finish come off.

Hardware used in the drawer guides are a stamped light gauge white metal, not steel and are of such low quality that it is common to see the drawer collapse under just 15 pounds. Any American cabinet company uses Blum or Grass guides and their drawers are rated at 75 to 125 pounds. The Chinese cabinetry is improperly dried wood that creates warping and finish issues later on. Chinese made cabinets only have limited sizes and styles and special cabinet boxes are not available.

You will never ever see a warranty on a Chinese Cabinetry. Say you scratch a door 3 months after your new kitchen is installed, with most domestic manufactures you can call up your cabinet supplier and order just the replacement door you need. With Chinese suppliers you have to reorder THE ENTIRE CABINET!! Make sure you ask your supplier about this and if they say you can actually get the part you need without ordering THE ENTIRE CABINET be sure to get it in writing!

Always be sure that you are getting a fair quote when comparing products. Whether it is in cabinetry, drywall, or any other imported products, Always ask questions. Remember we have our Free Second Opinion, just bring your cabinetry drawings to us and we give you our professional opinion and suggestions before you buy. You can email your drawings to us at designs@needco.net or call 205-871-2066 to set appointment with one if our Design/Sale Consultant today!

8 Low Cost Ways to Makeover Your Kitchen

Message Board… Grab a can of chalkboard paint and apply it to a few cabinet panels for a new look and a new message board. Pick cabinets that are easy to reach, to make jotting down a grocery list a cinch.

Interior Makeover… Give the inside of your cabinets a boost with clever storage solutions. Once a haphazard jumble of cleaning supplies, this under-sink cabinet was refreshed with a simple slide-out shelving unit, which corrals cleaners, soaps, and sponges for an orderly storage solution.

Bright Color… Glass-front cabinets create a gorgeous look. To give the style a new look, paint the interiors of your cabinets a bold color. Consider coordinating the color with the dishes displayed in the cabinet for a chic look.

Less is More… Removing the doors from some of the upper cabinets reveals the space inside, making the kitchen look larger. Paint the interior a rich accent color to spice up the kitchen even more.

Storage on Display… Take ordinary cabinets to the next level by swapping out a few solid door panels for glass-front ones. This setup doubles as storage and a showcase for glasses, plates, serving bowls, and tea pots.  

Small Change… For a small change with big effect, add stylish hardware to your cabinets. Replacing traditional cabinet door knobs with modern tubular handles is an affordable hardware update that offers a trendy touch for your kitchen.

Stylish Faucets… Spruce up your kitchen sink with a new faucet. Often overlooked kitchen elements, faucets are truly valuable style-setters. Faucets come in a limited number of metals, so to start you'll need to settle on a finish. After you've decided on a finish, search your favorite brands for models that suit your needs and your kitchen's style.

Bright Ideas… Updating your kitchen's style might be as simple as looking overhead. Consider switching out an old light over an island for a more personalized look. With so many styles and finishes available, finding unique lighting to suit your kitchen's style is easier than ever. For lighting that will hang above a work space such as an island, search for a model that balances style and function and provides adequate lighting for cooking tasks.

For more ideas visit us online at www.needco.net or 

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NeedCo, Inc Bessemer Showroom 205-481-1003 Homewood Showroom 205-871-2066