Merit Kitchens’ multiple statewide locations make it easy and convenient for homeowners to stop in and work with designers to create stunning and serviceable spaces.
Whether you’re remodeling or starting from scratch with new construction, designing your dream kitchen can prove to be an exciting but challenging endeavor. This space, often deemed “the heart of the home” because of its frequent use, is one you want to meet your cooking and entertaining needs and look amazing at the same time.
Working with an experienced designer and installer can ensure that your vision comes to life in a way that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Merit Kitchens has showrooms in Belleville, Montclair and Totowa, and is associated with Hunterdon Kitchens in Flemington as well as Quality Kitchens. Multiple statewide locations make it easy and convenient for homeowners to stop in and work with designers to create stunning and serviceable spaces.
Family-owned and operated since 1962, Merit supplies cabinetry to both consumers and contractors and offers an array of brands in dozens of lines that are available in a wide variety of stains, colors, materials and styles.
Thanks to advancements in modern technology, there’s never been a more exciting time to create the ideal kitchen. Merit owner David Earl outlined how he and his team of highly skilled designers put their decades of experience to use helping customers reach their goals. From consultation to installation, these experts share their insight while utilizing state-of-art equipment that helps homeowners see exactly how their finished product will look before work begins.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Before starting a design, Mr. Earl explained that one of the first things he asks clients to consider is their lifestyle.
“When it comes to a renovation, as opposed to new construction, we’ll ask, ‘Are you a family that when you host a dinner party or holiday gathering everyone ends up in kitchen with you? Are they helping you, or in the background having a glass of wine?’ If that’s what you want, then maybe it’s a matter of removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen because everyone’s in there anyway and you want to visit with them. But if you want the kitchen locked away where no one can come in and distract you from cooking, that’s something else entirely,” he said.
Often this requires creative space planning to get great work areas without the appliances crowding each other. This is where Mr. Earl and his team of designers use their expertise to make the best use of the space.
“The final decision is what it’s going to look like,” Mr. Earl said. “Now, I know what I like but I can’t tell you that a white kitchen is going to be in style three or four years from now. Nobody knows. A while ago, yellow was big in kitchens — for about six months — and then it was out again. So, what I recommend is that they do it for themselves and their taste and not for some future person who might buy that home. If clients decorate to their taste, somebody else will feel the love that was put into it.”
Allowing clients to visualize their future room, Merit offers schematic and walk-through 3D renderings.
“It helps them know what they’re getting,” he said. “They understand the design and the cabinets and they’re seeing it in 3D and in color on PDFs that we send them. Or, they can see it on the big screen in our office while working with designers to get a good feel for it.”
With the help of virtual reality goggles, homeowners have the ability to stand in their new future kitchen months before it’s built, he added.
“As a company, we offer cabinets in a plethora of colors, styles and construction,” he said.
Among the top-of-the-line manufactures is KraftMaid. Priding itself on its quality of construction and craftsmanship, the company has been making cabinetry for the past 40 years and understands what homeowners want and need. For example, preferred features such as 90 lb. drawer slides, full-extension drawers, and soft-close drawers and doors are all features that come at no extra cost.
While Merit is focused on high-quality and state-of-the-art technology, the company understand clients often set financial limits on the project.
“We offer inexpensive cabinets that are nice quality, but you might be limited in terms of your options. We also offer custom cabinets with endless options. We help get people together on what they need and want and what they want to spend across many price points,” he said.
Mr. Earl also stated that he and his team are happy to explain the features and benefits of different materials. For example, he said many consumers believe that hardwood is the gold standard when it comes to cabinetry. But melamine is an affordable alternative that resists water, stains and dirt for easy cleaning.
“We’re all experienced designers and we know what we’re doing and we understand cabinets, so we’re able to make suggestions that customers might not have thought of,” Mr. Earl said.
Troubleshooting and Maximizing Space
In addition to making product recommendations, Merit can help homeowners spot potential design flaws. Mr. Earl shared that he recently made adjustments to architectural drawings provided by a client. When asked why, he explained that if the homeowner was accessing the dishwasher in the original configuration, no one would be able to use the stove. By making a simple change, that issue was remedied and it allowed room for additional storage.
While kitchens might be Merit’s bread and butter, Mr. Earl explained that his company serves as a one-stop shop helping homeowners with all their cabinetry needs. From wall units and wet bars to bathrooms and basements, anywhere cabinetry goes, Merit follows.
The company services the region extending from Delaware north through New York and into New England. Completing the look of any room, Merit Kitchens also supplies quartz, natural stone, ceramic, wood butcher block and laminate counters.
To get your free consultation, visit Merit Kitchens’ website or call (973) 751-7700.
