Kitchen Accessories Unites Function With Style

Many homeowners are looking for ways to get the biggest bang for their buck. This includes when they embark on a kitchen remodel. Wilmington-based company MarKraft Cabinets aims to teach its customers about all of the accessories currently on the market that can increase the functionality and elevate the aesthetic of the most popular room in a house.

“People want to use their kitchens more for entertaining and want the things in their cabinets more accessible,” said Cee Edwards, president of MarKraft Cabinets.

A full extension drawer enables the entire drawer to be pulled out, adding storage space and access to the drawer’s contents otherwise inaccessible in a typical drawer where about three inches of space is wasted.

“Better accessibility to the items in their cabinets makes things more functional,” he said.

As a result the all wood dovetail drawer has become popular. Blind corner cabinets, pot and pan drawers, roll out trays and trash can pull outs are also common requests while lazy susans in corner cabinets have always been popular.

“People want to know how they can have more accessibility,” he said.

Another convenience that is becoming an industry standard are soft-close drawers. A pin in the back of the drawer is spring-loaded which slowly closes the drawer preventing it from slamming shut. One new trend are soft-close hinges on cabinet doors that work in a similar way with a spring-loaded accessory on the hinge.

This option, however, can be installed later by the homeowner.

The price of LED lighting has come down as its popularity has risen.

“A lot of people don’t know we offer lighting,” Edwards said. But samples of lighting installed under, above and inside cabinets are on display at MarKraft Cabinets Selection Center located at 5424 Oleander Drive, Suite 9 in Wilmington.

Decorative lighting such as pendant or accent lighting that spotlights a granite countertop or tile backsplash is replacing recessed lighting. It can add a decorative element to the kitchen.

“People are always looking for something new. They are seeing it and they want it in their next kitchen,” he said. “We try to make the buyer aware of what’s out there.”

MarKraft’s designer staff can break out the cost of these accessories so they can see the true cost.

“We are very sensitive to budgets,” he said. “The good thing is they can add later or install themselves.”

Markraft Cabinets specializes in cabinet and countertop design and installation in both new residential and commercial construction as well as custom remodeling projects. For more information, visit www.markraft.com or call (910) 793-2002.