Durable, easy-care laminates are still a favorite for busy countertops, but these days the fashion value of laminate is so high that laminate is now at home in almost every room in the house. In fact, remodeling with laminate opens up a wide range of design possibilities for homeowners that might otherwise be out of their reach.
In the contemporary kitchen, laminate in a luxurious pale color often gives the cabinets their sleek lines, and in the dining room, the granite table top could be an affordable laminate. In the media room, cabinets that bring law and order to audiovisual paraphernalia can be darkly luminescent with myriads of tiny metallic sparkles, a suitably futuristic look created by new and unique laminate design techniques.
The home office is also a great candidate for an upgrade with easy-care laminate, either in one of today’s great solid colors or faux-wood styles. Lacquer-look laminates can add a formal note to living room coffee and end tables, and of course, nothing could make more sense for bedroom vanities, cabinets, and vanities than laminate.
Organic products
More than ever, consumers want value and style when remodeling, and many also want environmental responsibility in the remodeling products they choose. Decorative laminate fits perfectly. Decorative laminates come in countless colors, patterns, textures, and finishes, and remodel laminates have emerged as a stylish alternative to granite, marble, and other expensive materials. Plus, remodeling with laminates can create the warmth of beautiful wood for cabinets, counters, doors, and furniture, without cutting down a single endangered tree.
Laminates are available that mimic the beauty of some of the world’s rare woods, often with such realism that even environmentalists could be fooled. Laminate wood designs include teak, mahogany, and rosewood, all species that come from the world’s endangered forests, but are actually produced from fast-growing, easily replaceable trees.
Ironically, remodelers once frowned on wood-look laminate. They didn’t like products that pretended to be something they weren’t. But today that’s considered a virtue, because few homeowners want to cut down a rare tree to enhance their home remodeling project.
Refinishing with laminates also offers an advantage when it comes to special and expensive wood grain patterns like knots and birds’ eyes. They replicate beautifully and yet are very affordable.
fantasy forests
Interestingly, some laminate manufacturers are also going in the opposite direction, producing wood-look designs in fancy colors and finishes. These laminates provide an authentic woodgrain look, but with pearlescent sconces for an exciting and unique look when used for bathtub surrounds, vanities, and bedroom furniture.
Other fancy wood creations feature metallic copper fluting, creating a beautiful look for fine cabinetry in transitional and contemporary remodeling projects.
Redecorate with laminates
Clearly, laminate has come a long way since scribbles and gold flecks covered diner and gas station countertops in the 1950s, and many designers credit the laminate industry with its entrepreneurial spirit and drive. Commitment to producing ever-evolving design options for homeowners beginning a remodeling project
It’s no coincidence that each year’s new laminate colors work so well with other home décor items. Much research precedes each year’s selections.
New colors are chosen to complement the latest appliances, bathroom fixtures, rugs, and other home furnishings. Recent trends include a shift toward natural tones like firethorn and terracotta, and warm neutrals in the beige, gray, and brown families. Blues and greens have become staples, and purple is in high demand for children’s furniture.
You don’t have to settle for stock laminates
Unfortunately, you’re not likely to find a wide variety of laminate styles and colors in stock at your local sawmill or home center. There are so many products available that most stores have a very limited selection. However, many home improvement centers will be happy to order specialty laminates for homeowners and usually have catalogs available at service counters that homeowners can use to make their laminate selections.
To save time, it might be a good idea to spend time searching the manufacturer’s website for laminate refinishing ideas, brand names, and design specifications. Once you’ve found a design that suits your style and taste, contact your local retailers to find out which ones represent your selected manufacturer and are willing to special order laminated products for you.