Time for an Upgrade – And Don’t Forget the Cabinetry!
On January 8, 2025, The New York Times delighted puzzle enthusiasts with a Strands puzzle themed around kitchen upgrades, aptly titled “Time for an Upgrade.” If you’re not familiar with Strands, it’s one of the newer additions to the NYT’s lineup of daily puzzles, which also includes popular favorites like Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and of course, the legendary Crosswords. Strands challenges players to connect themed words in a grid by “stranding” adjacent letters together to form words. It’s as satisfying as fitting the last piece into a jigsaw puzzle—or maybe even the perfect cabinet into a kitchen layout.
This particular Strands puzzle featured the pangram “kitchen remodel” and clues like “island,” “backsplash,” “oven,” “sink,” and “countertop.” We were thrilled to see a puzzle dedicated to the art of kitchen upgrades — but as kitchen design enthusiasts ourselves, we couldn’t help but notice an important element was missing: cabinetry!
Why Cabinetry Is the Foundation of Any Kitchen Remodel
Cabinetry isn’t just an essential part of a kitchen upgrade; it’s the backbone of the entire space. Cabinets define the layout, provide the storage, and often serve as the aesthetic centerpiece. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), homeowners spend an average of 30-40% of their kitchen remodel budget on cabinetry. This makes it one of the most significant investments in the project.
Why such a big slice of the budget? It’s simple:
Functionality: Cabinets keep your kitchen organized and efficient, allowing you to store everything from spices to cookware within easy reach.
Customization: Modern cabinetry offers endless customization options, from soft-close hinges to pull-out shelves and built-in charging stations.
Aesthetics: The style, color, and finish of your cabinets set the tone for your kitchen’s entire look and feel.
A kitchen remodel without attention to cabinetry is like a puzzle missing its centerpiece. Can you imagine a stunning island or backsplash without the cohesive structure of beautifully crafted cabinets tying it all together?
Bringing It All Back to the Puzzle
While we loved seeing “Time for an Upgrade” celebrate kitchen upgrades, we’d love to see cabinetry get its moment in the spotlight. After all, when people think “kitchen remodel,” cabinets are often the first upgrade that comes to mind. As for other NYT puzzles, we’ve got a little dream of our own: spotting “SWARTZ” as a five-letter word in Wordle one day. Until then, we’ll keep building beautiful kitchens and baths—and maybe squeezing in a few puzzles between projects. Ready to start your own kitchen upgrade—with cabinetry that deserves to be celebrated? Contact Swartz Kitchens & Baths today.
Time for an Upgrade – And Don’t Forget the Cabinetry!
On January 8, 2025, The New York Times delighted puzzle enthusiasts with a Strands puzzle themed around kitchen upgrades, aptly titled “Time for an Upgrade.” If you’re not familiar with Strands, it’s one of the newer additions to the NYT’s lineup of daily puzzles, which also includes popular favorites like Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and of course, the legendary Crosswords. Strands challenges players to connect themed words in a grid by “stranding” adjacent letters together to form words. It’s as satisfying as fitting the last piece into a jigsaw puzzle—or maybe even the perfect cabinet into a kitchen layout.
This particular Strands puzzle featured the pangram “kitchen remodel” and clues like “island,” “backsplash,” “oven,” “sink,” and “countertop.” We were thrilled to see a puzzle dedicated to the art of kitchen upgrades — but as kitchen design enthusiasts ourselves, we couldn’t help but notice an important element was missing: cabinetry!
Why Cabinetry Is the Foundation of Any Kitchen Remodel
Cabinetry isn’t just an essential part of a kitchen; it’s the backbone of the entire space. Cabinets define the layout, provide the storage, and often serve as the aesthetic centerpiece. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), homeowners spend an average of 30-40% of their kitchen remodel budget on cabinetry. This makes it one of the most significant investments in the project.
Why such a big slice of the budget? It’s simple:
Functionality: Cabinets keep your kitchen organized and efficient, allowing you to store everything from spices to cookware within easy reach.
Customization: Modern cabinetry offers endless customization options, from soft-close hinges to pull-out shelves and built-in charging stations.
Aesthetics: The style, color, and finish of your cabinets set the tone for your kitchen’s entire look and feel.
A kitchen remodel without attention to cabinetry is like a puzzle missing its centerpiece. Can you imagine a stunning island or backsplash without the cohesive structure of beautifully crafted cabinets tying it all together?
Bringing It All Back to the Puzzle
While we loved seeing “Time for an Upgrade” celebrate kitchen upgrades, we’d love to see cabinetry get its moment in the spotlight. After all, when people think “kitchen remodel,” cabinets are often the first upgrade that comes to mind. As for other NYT puzzles, we’ve got a little dream of our own: spotting “SWARTZ” as a five-letter word in Wordle one day. Until then, we’ll keep building beautiful kitchens and baths—and maybe squeezing in a few puzzles between projects. Ready to start your own kitchen upgrade—with cabinetry that deserves to be celebrated? Contact Swartz Kitchens & Baths today.