My Californian client Bruce wanted to update his kitchen to make its appeal more true to the 1940s cottage style home. The outdated, off-white thermofoil with brown trim kitchen cabinets certainly wasn’t cutting it. A cheery open concept design that still retained privacy and seclusion from the rest of the home was important. As a traveler, areas to display his treasured souvenirs were also on the must-have list.

Great sink area with display storage.

Over a three month period, Bruce, his architect, and I worked back and forth, bouncing ideas off each other to come up with a plan that best utilized the space. For Bruce, every morning started with an email either sharing a new bit of inspiration he found on Houzz or reacting to a new design update from me. His great communication, dedicated research, down-to-earth demeanor, and great sense of humor made him an absolute joy to work with.

The kitchen came a long way!

When we were close to wrapping up the project, Bruce decided to compare prices with a local custom cabinetry shop. This was back when CliqStudios.com first started, so I think his hesitancy was the result of making a large purchase online from a new company. However, our lower prices and the rapport we built up over the previous months won him over.

To replace the well-aged cabinets, Bruce selected our shaker-style Dayton door in Painted White. The painted finish, rather than one of our stained woods, was more in tune the beach vibe he desired. He liked the clean lines of the door that also held a subtle traditional flair. Around the space, we used the Painted Tea Leaf as accent pieces. He was worried about having too sterile of a look, so these pops of color, in addition to the finishing touches of the backsplash and counter, helped liven up the look.

Plenty of storage and functionality.

The entrance to the kitchen is through an arched door way. Working with the architect, we widened and reworked the archway to end midway over the counter to favor a more open floorplan. Over the archway, we built a run of small cabinets to display the clients travel items. On the opposite wall, above the sink, we built in another display area made from void-door cabinets with outside corner molding trim to create a more furniture, bookcase feel. The display cabinets above the window and archway are what give the kitchen added style. These details, and others like it, go a long way, for without them, the kitchen would be very plain.

Archway storage is great for display.

As the space is somewhat tight, we did all we could to keep it feeling as far from cluttered as possible. With this in mind, we built the microwave into the cabinetry across from the fridge and next to the archway entrance. This gave it a low profile.

The gorgeous tile perfectly complements the Painted White and Tea Leaf cabinetry.

One of the standout features of the kitchen is the gorgeous bi-fold window above the sink. Bruce really wanted the kitchen to feel one with his outside entertaining area. This window along with a continuation of the Colonial Gold granite counters and barstool seating creates the excellent gathering and serving space he wanted.  The beautiful orangey gold tile backsplash completes the space.

Bruce is incredibly happy with his new kitchen, and I fell in love with the project too. Bruce said, “The quality is great. The price was amazing. And as far as the free design, it’s a huge benefit. I won’t say the remodel and design process was always easy. Some days it was downright agonizing, but I was very fortunate to have worked with Tessa, who was super patient incorporating my countless design considerations, came up with a great final plan, and, to my amazement, was still totally involved and checking in well after the cabinets were delivered.” I feel fortunate to have worked on such a unique space with an all-star of a client.

Beautiful window for entertaining.

Author: Tessa Buhman believes the kitchen is the heart of the home. She loves to see an out-dated kitchen transform into a dream kitchen that will endure for a lifetime! Tessa has an AAS degree in Interior Design and over 10 years of kitchen and bath industry experience. She enjoys building relationships with her clients and understands the importance of communication. She also has a passion for cooking and feels that her kitchen is the perfect place for quality “me” time.

There’s nothing better than collaborating with a client who has a clear vision and enthusiasm for their remodeling project. I had the pleasure of working with such a client on her kitchen renovation.

Marina's new kitchen! Love it!

The Great Client

Marina, from Virginia, lives in a mid-century home due for an upgrade. She came to CliqStudios.com wanting a classic look — not too modern, not too traditional — that would have lasting appeal. A simple and white, shaker kitchen, which is indicative of her east coast location, was the right choice for her home.

From my first contact with Marina, I knew she was going to be an awesome client. It was clear that she had thought long and hard about her project and identified her main goals. As a bonus, Marina had already developed a preliminary layout of her design plan. She was also open to suggestions though, which allowed me to maximize the function and aesthetics of her space.

Marina's kitchen before the remodel.

A Chance to Do Something Different

I was very excited for this project because it wasn’t a typical L-shape kitchen and it presented a unique challenge. Marina wanted to combine the existing kitchen with the neighboring dining room. This gave us flexibility to create a unique floorplan with balanced flow, storage, and function. But, there was more.

The big idea for the space was a special peninsula hutch area that would separate the new kitchen and a new dining and entertaining area. This was very fun for me as a designer because it gave me a chance to do something different with our line of semi-custom cabinetry.

By connecting the old dining room and kitchen, we gained flexibility in the layout and added storage.

The Kitchen Design and Layout

As I mentioned, Marina wanted a clean and simple shaker look. Originally, she was looking for inset shaker cabinetry. At CliqStudios.com, we don’t currently offer this door. She ultimately chose our popular Dayton door, which is in a full-overlay shaker style. She chose this because of the quality and price. Had Marina purchased an inset shaker door from another manufacturer, she easily would have paid double.

The mullion doors and clean painted finish perfectly fit the shaker look.

As we combined the two rooms, it was obvious where the kitchen sink would go: under the large window in the corner of the space. To its left, around the corner, we situated the kitchen range and hood and flanked them with upper mullion-door cabinets. On the right side of the sink is a long run of cabinetry with a short section of upper cabinets above. At its end, a six-foot peninsula extended from the wall. A cute banquette seating and bench area was built on the other side of the peninsula to seamlessly match our cabinetry.

Across from the end of the peninsula, the microwave was built in at shoulder level and is neighbored by the large refrigerator. Centered in all this space is small kitchen island with barstool seating for two. The island is topped with a stained wood. Black soapstone and a white marble is used throughout the rest of the space.

I'm a big fan of the black soapstone counters Marina selected.

The Hutch

The hutch tested my skills, but it ultimately ended up being my favorite part of Marina’s kitchen. It’s by far one of the most unique things I’ve built with Cliq Cabinetry. The hutch divides the kitchen from the new dining room and features cabinetry on both sides, a marble counter, and a peekaboo window. Above, the upper cabinets are accessible from both rooms by glass doors, creating a great area for display.

My favorite part of Marina's kitchen!

Designing the hutch was a challenge because we were not using fully custom cabinets. We were basically working with the frame of a puzzle, trying to find the right cabinets in the right size to fit the space. After the hutch was done, Marina’s contractor realized a support beam extended across the ceiling was needed right in this area. This knocked us back a few steps. I proposed that we include a soffit to conceal the support beam. The soffit enclosed the hutch area a little, adding some coziness to the cuteness. The upper glass-door cabinets were then mounted to the soffit. After some additional rework, I was able to fit it all together. Marina loved it!

This rendering shows the side of that hutch that faces the dining room.

Fantastic Result

This project really taught me about patience as a designer. Working with semi-custom cabinetry can be tricky when creating a detailed area, but it’s so rewarding when everything works out. I was absolutely blown away when I saw the before and after pictures. Marina really has a special place that gives her the storage she needs with terrific work flow. For me, the intricate placement of the cabinetry, especially around the hutch, is the real highlight, but the whole kitchen turned out fantastic!

Built-in banquette seating area. So great!

For more pictures of this renovation, head over to this page on Houzz!

Author: Jessica Hein is a talented residential designer who focuses on functionality as well as aesthetics. With a background in visual merchandising, custom storage solutions, and residential design, her passion lies in the satisfaction of her clients. Jessica also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. For Jessica, the most gratifying aspect of interior design is giving her clients a space that they can live in and enjoy for years to come.

We see a lot of pictures of our customers’ new kitchens and bathrooms. While we love seeing how our cabinetry designs come to life, we get especially excited when our customers’ furry friends make an appearance in the photos.

Whether they’re just getting a snack at their bowl, sneaking a look at what their human is doing, or showing their true personality, here’s a collection of our favorite Cliq customer pets!

I think this is the “stop taking pictures and dish out my food” face.

I’ll meet you at Canine Corner, the crossroads of kitchen table and pantry cabinet.

The new kitchen sure is nice, but this pooch loves the soft runners around the island.

This little guy is appreciating the two-toned Maple Caramel and Painted White cabinets.

Red alert! Bird sighting at the dining room window.

Who disturbs my slumber?

This pup is off in the back, admiring the shaker cabinets from afar.

Just checking in to see how the remodel is coming along.

The kitchen sure is a popular place for pets. Were the soft tones of this shih tzu inspiration for the colors of this kitchen?

We’d love to see a picture of your pets in your new space! Leave us a link to your photo in the comments, Tweet us, or post a picture to our Facebook.

Author: August Drilling writes for CliqStudios.com and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. He is a creative guy and enjoys writing and design. When not putting ideas into action, August can be found trying new recipes and catching up on the latest movies, TV shows and books, all with iPhone in hand.

One look inside this urban loft and it’s clear this is a special, one-of-a-kind space. It has architectural elements designers dream about. The open concept, distressed brick, beautifully aged exposed wood beams, and treated I-beams come together to create an ambiance that’s as warm and inviting as it is historical.

Can't beat this space!

When I first spoke with my client on the phone and he mentioned he was converting part of a 200-year-old warehouse into a weekend loft getaway, I was beyond excited. I’d always wanted to work on a loft project, and now was my chance. He said he had received a quote from one of the major big box stores, but wanted to compare prices with CliqStudios.com.

The client and I immediately hit it off, and we developed a great working relationship, swapping ideas via email and phone. It’s nice when you and your clients just “click.” At the time, I was planning my wedding, and he gave me great marriage advice. He was down-to-earth, very practical, and had clearly done his research. Because of his great personality and the uniqueness of the space, I could tell this was going to be a fun project to work on.

The deep drawers provide the needed storage.

At the get-go, he shared his vision for the loft and said there were little boundaries with what we could do. The loft wasn’t going to be his primary home. Rather, it was a second home for weekend trips and entertaining friends. He wanted a transitional look with warmth that played to the open layout design. Along with the basic amenities, simplicity, symmetry, and functionality were key in the kitchen.

The client contemplated a few finishes but ultimately settled on Birch Sable with the simple shaker-style Dayton door. This dark wood finish is more in-tune with transitional style and would better complement the exposed beams and contemporary shine of the stainless steel appliances. It also worked well with the burnt orange paint he selected to bring out the reds of the exposed brick.

Barstool seating, perfect for entertaining.

With the style and finish nailed down, we moved onto the cabinetry layout and design. We didn’t need a lot of cabinets, but I wanted to make a big impact. With simplicity in mind, I designed a straight island with a raised counter and barstool seating for five. We located the sink in the center of the island, opposite the range, to create an easy workflow within the space. Two sets of stacked deep drawers to the left of the range provide plenty of room to store cookware. Standard wall cabinets above hold the dishware. On both ends, short walls bookend the cabinetry, giving it a built-in look. A mellow tan granite and reflective glass tile backsplash complete the space.

Symmetry was key.

After the kitchen was complete, we moved on to the bathroom cabinetry. We started from scratch here too, so I had full control to create the vanity. Working outside of rigid boundaries certainly is a luxury! Again, symmetry was important in the bathroom, so his and hers sinks and drawer storage were fitting. The rest of the bath, including wall and fixture placement, was then designed around the vanity.

When I finally saw pictures of the finished space, I was blown away. Its openness, the age, the furnishings, and all the textures are fantastic. The client loved how it all turned out. I’m so happy I finally got to work on a loft project, and am thankful the client chose to work with us at CliqStudios.com. It’s his dream city escape. I wish it was mine too!

Beautiful bathroom vanity.

Author: Tessa Buhman believes the kitchen is the heart of the home. She loves to see an out-dated kitchen transform into a dream kitchen that will endure for a lifetime! Tessa has an AAS degree in Interior Design and over 10 years of kitchen and bath industry experience. She enjoys building relationships with her clients and understands the importance of communication. She also has a passion for cooking and feels that her kitchen is the perfect place for quality “me” time.

While browsing home décor idea sites such as Houzz and Pinterest, you may notice a sweeping trend toward statement flooring. Textured slate, chevron painted, and bold-colored Moroccan tile designs are hot right now paired with neutral wall colors to add a unique flavor to your space. Remember, wall color isn’t the only option you have in making a dramatic statement to your home.

Here are a few ideas compiled from Houzz and Pinterest to get you thinking about unique flooring options. We’ll cover stone, tile, paint and more — everything but plain hardwood!

Slate Stone Flooring

Create unique texture by using natural stone such as slate for an earthy, urban look in your home. Keep in mind that natural stone is hard to clean and may require you to get on your hands and knees to scrub out stains and wipe out dirt.

Photo from: plastolux.com

Exposed Brick

Laid in a variety of patterns, brick delivers a rustic, rugged feel that, at the same time, has warmth and homeyness. It has great texture and often carries a natural range of color. Brick can even be painted for an altogether different style.

Photo from: Houzz.com

Painted Flooring

Whether it’s a subtle stencil design or a bright and bold pattern, painting your floors can be a challenging project but worth the effort. Click here for Valspar’s How to Paint a Floor tutorial.

Here, the floral pattern adds a new layer of interest to the already beautiful hardwood floor.

Photo from: traditionalhome.com

This bold chevron pattern is the perfect accompaniment to the solid aqua of the walls.

Photo from: decorpad.com

The traditional checkerboard or diamond pattern in a daring pink awakens this lounge and library with a vibrant, vintage vibe.

Photo from: Houzz.com

Tip: For a permanent beautifully distressed look, hold off on applying a clear coat finish until worn just the way you like.

White Flooring

White flooring can be used to create a range of looks, depending on the material. A sleek, shiny surface is the epitome of modern, while painted wood flooring, as pictured here, creates a quaint but contemporary room.

Photo from: Houzz.com

Mosaic Tile Flooring

Mosaic tile can be used to bring an ethnic look to your home, as pictured below in a CliqStudios.com customer’s Spanish-style kitchen design, or to bring some shimmer with glass mosaic tile in the second picture below.

Custom Spanish-style tile flooring

The shine and monochromatic colors of this tile influence that classically traditional feel of the space.

Photo from: interiorstyledesign.tumblr.com

Patterned Wood Flooring

Hardwood can be fun too. An understated pattern, such as the herringbone style pictured here, make the flooring the standout feature of this lux living room. Similarly, an uncommon color, like this almost-gray bleached oak, keeps things fresh.

Photo from: Houzz.com

Bright & Bold Splashes

Maybe solid tile or painted flooring isn’t for you. A dark neutral linoleum with bursts of radioactive neon bring new, unexpected energy to this contemporary kitchen.

Photo from: Houzz.com

Rubber Tile

Typically found in commercial environments, rubber tile is a great way to add a unique element to your kitchen. It’s also soft on the feet and great for wobbly little children.

Photo from: Houzz.com

Author: Caroline Kornowicz is the Social Media / Digital PR Manager for CliqStudios.com. During the weekdays she has an affinity to her iPhone, a Caribou Coffee latte and all things social media. Weekends are spent playing with her black lab Buster, planning her wedding and watching football. Find her on Twitter: @CarolineSofiaK

Every Monday morning my husband, the chef, leaves for work early. I have a ritual of standing in our kitchen imagining how it could be cleared for the week. It’s a small kitchen, so we have limited space and it gets worked hard.

Here are my 10 tips for redesigning your space:

1. Fresh kitchen towels. All the towels from the prior week go into the laundry, and I pull out a couple of fresh folded waffle weave or flour sack towels to use for the week.
2. Make sure all the hand washing is done and put away. You know those lingering few items that can’t go in the dishwasher? Wash them and put them away.
3. Wipe down counter top appliances and put them away as well. Either place them in an appliance garage, or in a pantry. I only leave out the coffee maker because it is used daily.
4. You know those spices and oils that sit out near the stove? Put them in a cool location away from the heat. They will keep their flavor longer. And they won’t collect dust.
5. Dish soap and scrubbies can be placed under the sink to keep soap scum off the counter and sink itself. I leave out the hand-soap and paper towels so that every square inch of counter is useful.
6. Fresh fruit or vegetables on the counter? Place them in a bowl or on a plate so they won’t stain the counter and can be moved easily for more counter space.
7. Any yellowed artwork or clippings on your refrigerator? Clear them off and save them in a file somewhere else. Time for new art and inspiration or just a wonderfully reflective surface of the refrigerator that brings more light into your kitchen.
8. All newspapers, magazines, mail and cardboard are recycled at our home on every other Wednesday. I use every Monday as the day to separate and place everything in a separate bag for the next garbage pickup day. All the bags go out to the recycling bin.
9. The miscellaneous. There are always one or two things that are sitting on the counter because they need replacement or attention. Like a battery or a screw or some sort of adapter. Resolve those issues every week and they won’t end up sitting on your counters for months.
10. Give the space a fresh element, even if it’s from your refrigerator drawer like oranges or apples. Squash and herb plants are a great solution as well. And every grocery store has bunches of fresh flowers just waiting for a good home!

Now that all the decks are cleared so to speak, I can think about breakfast, lunch, and dinner preparation in our clean and cleared out kitchen space. Whenever we restyle or reset a room, we clear the space first to help rethink the functionality and flow. This works for kitchens as well.

Barbara Schmidt, bstyle, inc., is a nationally recognized interior designer and author whose work is featured in numerous publications, social media and television.

The lighting in a kitchen can really have a large impact both functionally and decoratively. There are three types of lighting that are used to light a space well: ambient (or general), task lighting and accent lighting. A sound lighting plan uses all three sources of light. A great lighting plan can often go unnoticed, everything just feels right. When there isn’t enough light to perform a task, or when the light sources produce too much glare, it’s hard to focus on anything else!

Ambient Lighting

Can lights bring bright warm light to this modern space.

Ambient lighting provides a space with overall light. Usually this lighting comes from above, whether it’s from recessed cans spaced evenly throughout the room or from a chandelier. Sometimes the light fixture or fixtures hung over an island can serve as both ambient and task lighting. If recessed cans aren’t an option for you, flush or semi-flush mount fixtures can also be great sources of ambient lighting.

Task Lighting

Task lighting illuminates the counter area and adds depth to this area.

Task lighting is just what it sounds like, it provides light to perform specific tasks. In the kitchen, task lighting helps you prepare food at the chopping board, read a recipe, do homework, etc. The best task lighting in a kitchen is under-cabinet lighting. It’s a great solution because the actual light source is hidden from sight. When a light bulb (called a lamp in the lighting world) is seen by the human eye, it can create glare, which is uncomfortable and can hinder our ability to see. Whenever we can, we want to avoid glare. When implementing under-cabinet lighting you can either place the strip of lighting at the back of the cabinet or at the very front. Often the cabinet manufacturer will offer an apron that is placed at the front of the upper cabinet that hides the fixture. As mentioned above, when you hang pendants or chandeliers above center islands or peninsulas you shed light directly on the work surface, providing additional task lighting.

Accent Lighting

Pendant lights brighten the kitchen and add visual interest.

Accent lighting is the third type of lighting to consider when lighting your kitchen. Accent lighting creates drama or visual interest in a space. It can be implemented by hiding rope lighting on top of your upper cabinets, creating a soft glow between the cabinets and the ceiling. Recessed cans aimed at art on the wall is another form of accent lighting. Wall sconces flanking a window above a sink is a unique way to create drama, as well as task lighting.

Next time you are flipping through a Kitchen Magazine, take a moment to study how each kitchen is lit. A good lighting plan involves so much more than what the actual light fixture looks like. If you’d like more information on interior lighting visit AmericanLightingAssoc.com. You’ll find a wealth of information on lighting, energy efficiency, and proper disposal tips as well.

You’ve been planning your kitchen remodel for awhile now, and you’ve torn out several images of kitchens that serve as your inspiration. Maybe you’ve decided what your new cabinetry will look like and worked out your new layout, but how do you get your new kitchen to look like magazine photo quality? Kitchens can be a large investment, and you want to feel great in your new space when it’s complete!

Open display shelves, in addition to drawers, help keep counters clean and clear.

The obvious element missing in the magazine photos is the pile of papers, mail and  junk at the end of the counter. When planning out your cabinetry and overall layout, make sure you think about this inevitable development. Maybe you have the space to allocate towards a message center: where mail can be separated and filed, cell phones can be charged, and miscellaneous items can be stored. For me, the kids’ homework is what is always found on my kitchen island, and the “shrapnel” that accompanies it… pencil sharpeners, scissors, notebooks, calculators, etc. I would love a spot where my children could store these items conveniently!

Notice the seeded glass doors on the upper cabinets around the sink.

After surveying many magazine photos, you’ll come to realize that glass upper cabinet doors or open shelving is a very popular kitchen design element. This can be a pretty hefty commitment. Are you prepared to always put everything away in your kitchen in a beautifully designed manner? I look at the photos with all the beautiful white dishes neatly staged on open shelving, and I know I could achieve that look for about one day. If you want to incorporate them into your new space but know there is little chance you’ll be able to maintain it, here are a few suggestions:

• Strategically place just a few glass paneled upper cabinet doors. Staging your favorite dishes behind two doors is a lot more manageable than doing so for all your upper cabinets! Flanking your sink or vent-hood is a nice solution. Make sure the dishes are conveniently placed too!
• Maybe instead of using clear glass at your upper cabinets’ glass panels, an obscured glass would be better. There are glass options like “seedy”, “rain”, “fluted”, etc. Don’t forget to light the inside of your glass paneled cabinet doors. This adds a beautiful decorative light in the evening, and can be very warm and inviting.
• Make sure you plan for what you will be showcasing on the shelving or behind the glass doors. Beautifully coordinated dinnerware and serving pieces or your favorite glassware is a great solution. Plastic cups from the ballpark won’t do!

Want to display small appliances? Choose only the most important and hide the rest.

Small kitchen appliances are cause for careful balance as well. Once in awhile you’ll spot a blender, a Cuisinart food processor or an “attractive” toaster on the countertop of a kitchen found in a magazine. The important thing to note is that you won’t find all of these items on the countertop, only one.  Survey your proposed open countertop space, and think about how much space you want taken up by these appliances. Dedicate a convenient area in your new kitchen for your small kitchen appliances. If you keep them in your base cabinets, roll-out shelves can be a life saver!

Accessories are the last details that can really bring a kitchen to life. Fresh flowers or simple potted flowering plants add wonderful color to a kitchen island space. Often I will accompany this with fresh fruit in a decorative bowl. An attractive tea pot on your cooktop is a warming touch as well. Remember to add decorative touches to the things you use everyday. Consider decorative plates on plate stands, small pieces of art on table-top easels, and even your favorite cookbooks on book stands.

I wish you the best of luck on your kitchen remodel. A lot of thought goes into them. The important thing to remember is that a kitchen needs to be functional first, and if we can enhance that with beautiful items, it’s all for the better! Hopefully these tips will help you get there!

Michelle Deering, Allied Member ASID

Design Atelier, LLC

Over the last couple of years, I’ve worked on a few remodeling projects with a builder in Minneapolis, Ethan Johnson. He started his own company over four years ago after subcontracting for several builders.

“You never know what you are going to find when you open up a home,” he said to me the day he discovered an unusually large cement sub floor in our bstylehome bathroom remodeling project.

“It takes lots of patience and problem solving along the way,” Ethan reminded us. Luckily, we’d handled remodeling projects before, so we knew to be ready for some unknowns and some budget changes.

Although the floor demolition took longer and cost just a bit more for labor, we finished the project without any other surprises. Ethan had been referred to me by another trusted contractor I’d worked with for over ten years.

Professionals will help you get the best design with the special touches that speak to your personality.

If you are just starting a remodeling project, here are some of Ethan’s helpful hints:

• Determine the need for a Designer or Architect up front.
• Plan out your budget and hold some reserve for those unknowns.
• Look for a contractor whose primary focus is remodeling and ask past customers about the contractor’s timeliness, cleanliness and quality of work.
• Remember that remodeling is extremely invasive, so plan on extra time just in case there are extra tasks that need to be completed.
• Check the background of the company and the number of years they’ve been in business, including their remodeling specialization. It’s a good idea to see if they are licensed to work in your area.

Right now, Ethan’s company, EKJohnson Construction, and my interior design firm bstylehome have teamed up to complete a master bathroom remodel. We are excited to install the fixtures next week!

Barbara Schmidt, bstyle, inc., is a nationally recognized interior designer and author whose work is featured in numerous publications, social media and television.

Spring has officially sprung, and if you’re like me, you’re still a little behind on your spring cleaning. This year, in between cleaning out your closet and venturing into those bottomless junk drawers, don’t forget to take a thorough pass through your kitchen. Even though you visit this space daily, and probably give it a good wipe-down once per week, you’d be surprised at the mess that can build up when organization is not top of mind.

“A place for everything and everything in its place” is a good theme for spring cleaning. Get ready and arm yourself with your favorite sprays, cleaning cloths and rubber gloves, it’s time to get your kitchen clean, organized and ready for summer!

Bright and clean, this kitchen is ready for spring!

1. Start with the drawers and cabinetry

Drawer by drawer and cabinet by cabinet, take out all your dishware and kitchen items. When it’s empty, wipe out the interior and really get into the corners where dust and debris like to gather. Dust can build up in your dishware too, so make sure to give it some cleaning attention if needed.

2. Reorganize if needed

Perhaps you’d like to have coffee cups closer to the coffee maker, or maybe the glassware used on special occasions doesn’t deserve its prime location. Whatever the case, there’s no better time to reorganize than when your shelves and drawers are empty and you have a clean slate.

3. Ask yourself, “Do I need this?”

We all have things we’ve bought, used a few times, and then never touched again. Now is the time to declutter! While cleaning, set aside the items you haven’t used in the past year or two and evaluate if it’s something you need. Even though you haven’t used that crockpot in a while, it’s still a good item to have around. But your daughter’s toy cotton candy machine? It’ll look better at a garage sale, on Craigslist, or on the shelf at Good Will.

4. Tidy up the pantry

To clean your pantry, repeat the same process you used on the kitchen cabinets. Take everything out, wipe up the mess, and reorganize as you put the items back in place. Keep an eye out for expired food. Remember there’s a place for everything, and expired food should be placed in the garbage. Also, set aside the items you won’t eat for donation.

Keep your kitchen looking its best with minimal counter décor.

5. Baskets for the win!

The pantry is home to a lot of loose items. Baskets are a great way to collect and store similar small items and preserve organization. At my home, we have baskets for grab-and-go snacks, baking add-ins like chocolate chips and M&Ms, and bagged sugars and other granular ingredients. Also, if you don’t have a spice rack, a spice basket can keep those items from disorder.

6. Refresh your refrigerator

Moisture, bacteria and food don’t mix. You’ll want to take everything out of your refrigerator and freezer and give it all a good wipe-down. If you can, take out the shelves and drawers and clean the undersides. As you take the food out, toss what’s no longer good and what you won’t eat.

7. Free your freezer

Some freezers are prone to ice build-up, and it should be a yearly activity to clear this ice away. A handy trick is to remove all the food, prop open the lid or door, and point a portable fan into the freezer. After a few minutes of warm air circulating across the ice, you’ll be able to gently knock off ice chunks with a hammer. Be careful not to damage sides of freezer! As you move your foods back in, use baskets to organize, and chuck old and freezer-burned items.

8. Cabinets, counters and floors

Last but certainly not least, with the interiors clean, move on to the exteriors. The major appliances, sink, floors, counters and cabinetry are the obvious hotspots, but don’t forget about windows, baseboards, handles and pulls, small appliances, walls and light fixtures — these need some attention every now and again too!

To keep your cabinets looking great, check out our cabinetry care and cleaning guide.

What are you spring and kitchen cleaning strategies? Share your ideas in the comments!

Author: August Drilling writes for CliqStudios.com and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. He is a creative guy and enjoys writing and design. When not putting ideas into action, August can be found trying new recipes and catching up on the latest movies, TV shows and books, all with iPhone in hand.