Kitchen Remodeling – Why Add a Kitchen Island?

Kitchen Remodeling – Why Add a Kitchen Island?

Anyone and everyone who owns a home almost without exception, when asked what would be their most important remodeling project replies add a kitchen remodel. And there are as many different sizes of kitchen remodeling projects, as there are people that have kitchens. These projects can range from a total kitchen makeover to something as simple as a new exhaust hood over their stove.

A simple kitchen remodeling project that many homeowners desire is the addition of a kitchen island. Home owners find that the addition of a kitchen island can serve several functions including providing a central point of focus in the kitchen, and also provided added cooking preparation and storage space.

When a homeowner works with a designer on their kitchen remodeling project, their designer will have them thinking outside of the box, literally because a kitchen island doesn’t have to just be your usual island shaped like a box. A kitchen island can have different ranges of style and function, and your designer will work with you, and help you utilize your available kitchen space.

Many designers will tell you that there are no fast or hard rules when it comes to the actual design of an island, but there are some basics that they do follow and will advise the homeowner about. The designer will advise the homeowner where work surfaces for the island should be placed, in relation to existing appliances such as a stove and refrigerator. Designers know that working aisles should be about 42 to 48 in. in order to accommodate one or two cooks working in the kitchen at the same time. Most designers also recommend that the island’s working surface area should be at least 36 in. so that both cooks have more than enough work space without actually bumping into one another while actually working together on the island’s surface.

The design of your kitchen island is going to depend on the layout of your floor plan. In an older home more than likely, you will find a closed floor plan. This type of floor plan dictates the use of what is termed the workhorse configuration. This type of island configuration is basically the four sided box that we mentioned earlier. For homes with an open floor plan, the designer and the homeowner have more selections of designs to choose from because they have the ability to use angular designs including L, Y, U or V shapes. These shapes function as walls, but they do not totally block off the kitchen from say the dining room or a smaller adjacent kitchen area.

The homeowner should realize that the larger the actual island is, the more functional it will be. The island can be more than just a prep surface for cooking meals. It can also be a smaller eating area, separate from the main kitchen or dining area. It can also hold a small TV and compact DVD player. Your kitchen island can be as unique as you are, with special moldings, brass accents, and special pulls and footings, creating a unique look and feel that reflects you and your personal style and taste. And this can be accomplished no matter how large or small your island happens to be.

The best thing about having a kitchen island installed is that it can be a relatively inexpensive project, depending on its size and scope, it is possible to bring in this sort of kitchen remodeling project for under $700 for a basic bare bones island, but when you start to add things such as a sink and other accents the cost can rise significantly.…

Consider A Makeover For Your Bathroom

Whether your motivation is to enhance your usage experience or to enhance your home’s resale value, a bathroom remodel project is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. In terms of maximizing the benefits, few can argue that renovating your bathroom will offer the most bang for the buck in terms of payback when it comes time to sell while allowing you the extra comfort and enjoyment while you are still in your home.
Much like a kitchen, the bathroom tends to be one area where potential home buyers have strong emotions. A functional and stylish bathroom can literally make or break the deal when you put your home on the market. But resale potential is not the primary reason to consider your bathroom renovation. Sure we all would like as much money as we can get, but why not enjoy your home to the fullest while you are still in it? Plus, with the economy in a down trend, more and more people are choosing to spruce up their existing homes instead of moving to a new home. You can save a lot of money by remaining in your home and simply improving it instead of moving. For the long-term, that decision makes a lot of sense financially.
Your renovation project can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. It is amazing what a new mirror and a new coat of paint can do for a bathroom. If your budget and energy allows, you can get really ambitious and knock out walls, install a new tub or shower, add new cabinets, and a number of other things. The only limit to your project will be budget and imagination.
Before you begin any project, you need to plan carefully. the last thing you want to do is begin a bathroom renovation that renders it useless for weeks because you didn’t realize the impact of changes you made or because you ran out of funds before you finished. The best way to avoid these types of planning mistakes is to use the services of a professional contractor. A professional will know the process, know the right subcontractors, and be able to steer you towards a successful completion. If your project is relatively small, then you can probably do it yourself without any help. But when pipes need to be moved or electrical outlets need to be moved, unless you really know what you are doing, do not attempt these types of tasks by yourself. Always leave these types of jobs to the professionals.
A bathroom renovation can make a big difference in your enjoyment of your home while adding potential resale value. If you don’t have the bathroom of your dreams already, look into an upgrade. Whether you want a major facelift or just new counters and lights, you will be happy you did. And the older and more worn your current bathroom is, the more you will probably enjoy your new one. The best part is that there are many options available regardless of your budget, just get creative and enjoy the experience.…

Raise Your Home’s Value With Home Improvement

If you’re going to sell your home or simply want to raise its value there are multiple things that you can do.
However the most overlooked but most effective method available to you is to improve your home. Home improvements can add immense value to your home especially in the bathrooms and kitchens. These two areas are the most important areas in a home when it comes to everyday living and customizing them can add immense value.
One of the reasons for this is that there are thousands of homes made by name brands all across the country. All of these are identical in design to the others of the same model so their initial resell value is low. Any home improvements add to the individuality and value of a home but really large scale improvements can add value in the range of tens of thousands of dollars.
Let’s take a look at the bathroom for starters. Most homes come with a toilet, a sink with a cabinet, and a tub that also doubles as a shower. This is the standard bathroom and while it is functional it is not very desirable. You have many areas in this room to improve upon but most choose to do something about the shower. If you have the funding, time, patience and skills you can convert your typical shower tub into a very relaxing and inviting area.
Most often people will replace the traditional tub with a hot tub, install new tiling, install a new shower system, and possibly add glass doors or metal railings. These are not uncommon items and are by far not the most expensive to purchase. However if done properly it can increase the value of your home.
The next area to look at is the kitchen. Kitchens are standardized with many drawers, cabinets, a stove, and a place for a fridge. While you will not be deviating from this, the goal is to simply enhance the effect. Installing new cabinets, drawers, flooring, wallpaper, and a center table if you have the room can do wonders for a home. Another item that works for any room in a home is the lighting.
Lighting can make boring rooms grand and bad lighting can make impressive rooms abysmal. While it’s all just beams of light and not actual renovation the proper lighting can make all the difference when modifying a room. It’s always best to examine this area first before making any changes to your home. The idea is to take the route that will raise the value at a price point you can afford.
Raising a home’s value can be done through an assortment of ways but home improvement is the best route. Changing the lighting, replacing tiling, and upgrading rooms can increase the value of your home tremendously. Remember that before you give up hope on increasing your home’s value to take a look at your local home remodeling contractor, with their help you may be inspired to make changes.…

The Best Seasons For Home Improvement

The ideal seasons for a home improvement phase are during the spring and summer seasons. Make home summer changes and you’ll find that extra help is always just a stone’s throw away. The summer season is a very good time to move from one house to another house, one city to another city, or even from one state to another state. There are many summer deals and summer bargains during this season which involve your home summer changes like truck rentals, moving van rentals, storage house rentals, warehouse, rentals, and shopping deals. These kinds of bargains and deals are also available during spring season.
There are 5 stages for every home improvement project that you may go through when you are moving houses, changing cities, or changing states. These stages are as follows: concept, planning, implementation, assessment, and evaluation. Though, if you are going to make changes and alterations for your house: these 5 stages are also relevant to your objectives. For changes to be made in the interior make of your house, the first home alteration stage refers to the idea or concept behind the changes which you want to make. There are two kinds of remodeling concepts. The first kind is known as interior concepts while the second type of concept for home remodeling is known as exterior concepts. The concept distinction is quite simple to figure out. Interior concepts refer to the rooms of your house and the exterior refers to the entire surface structure of your house. When you have decided on a type of home remodeling concept, the planning stage involves activities where you can choose the materials you need, choose where to purchase these materials, and plan your expenditures around your financial budget. The expenditure phase includes home remodeling activities which involve the actual purchase of home development materials and the actual use of these materials for your house remodeling activities. The phase of assessment that follows implementation gives room for you to make additional adjustments in your house. Finally, your remodeling evaluation will come from your own feelings and from the opinions of your house guests regarding your remodeling work.
In the same way that home moving is ideally conducted during the seasons of spring and the seasons of summer, house remodeling projects are best implemented during the same aforementioned seasons. These seasons give you the best bargains and discounts on the materials that you need to purchase. You also get similar deals and discounts for the various types of home items which you might need. One of the most important remodeling stages is the planning stage, since this is the stage is where you decide on a purchasing budget for your house remodeling project. The success of your project centers on your plan for home improvement in either the interior or the exterior parts of your house. This will depend on your ability to work with your financial budget and not against it. So make sure that you keep a close watch on everything.…

Let’s Stir the Christmas Pudding in a Brand New Kitchen

When it comes to our homes, for many of us the kitchen is at the heart. Whether enjoying a quick warming drink after an autumn walk or sitting down for a meal with family or friends, the kitchen provides food, warmth and comfort.
Unfortunately, because it is used so much, without our noticing our kitchens can become tired and shabby. Suddenly, meals are better taken elsewhere and the under-heated slightly grimy kitchen becomes a place to visit for as short a time as possible.
At that stage, you know you need a new kitchen. Call in a builder who knows about kitchens and there is still just time to bask in the warmth of a fresh kitchen by Christmas. When designing your new kitchen, start with the basics, light, heating and space. You might not want to move water pipes or ventilation so have little option about placement of sink or cooker, but before you commit to any design, draw a scale model of the space itself only and see what is possible.
Starting with heating, think about underfloor heating for early morning cosy toes, or one of those clever little heaters which fit under your floor cupboards. Either method will save having to have large radiators and therefore save wall space. With lighting, you need good lights to be able to see what you are cooking but also mood lighting for candlelit dinners. Think about ceiling spotlights, lights over work surfaces and near sinks.
Try to work on the golden triangle principle of cooker, sink and work surface. Think about how you use space and spread that use around the kitchen. For example, if you have a morning bottleneck at present with fridge, breakfast bowls and cereals all kept next t the toaster and kettle think about spreading them out so that the progress of the meal flows naturally on to the table.
When deciding on the decoration, remember that kitchens can become greasy and steamy and choose surfaces that will clean easily. Consider glass splash backs, tiles and wood. Choose work surfaces to help make a colour statement and keep walls fairly neutral.
Whatever you decide for your new kitchen our main tip is to make sure that you choose a builder or installer that can manage the whole installation. Juggling separate firms of plumbers, electricians, builders and fitters will slow the work down and could lead to Christmas on a building site.…

Kitchen Remodeling Importance – The Home Remodeling Isn’t Complete Without Remodeling the Kitchen

Kitchen Remodeling Importance – The Home Remodeling Isn’t Complete Without Remodeling the Kitchen

I don’t know why some people still don’t get it – if your wife wants her kitchen looking elegant, why not give it to her by having the best remodeling done for the kitchen. And if you are thinking it must cost you an arm and a foot, that’s not always the case. There are good remodeling companies nowadays that will get a good job done for you for affordable cost.

Seriously, your wife deserves a perfect kitchen. Isn’t that where she cooks those delicious food for you? Apart from just cooking delicious foods, the kitchen ought to be perfect because whatever comes out from there goes into your stomach, so when it comes to your health, that kitchen really ought to be remodeled to look absolutely clean and perfect. Forget about money for a moment and keep reading.

I know ladies who won’t give their husbands peace until their kitchen is looking as wonderful as they want it to. Don’t wait until it gets to that before giving your wife that kitchen she wants so much.

Probably you had the parlor of your house remade into something akin to a Georgian style last year, and you were proud of it; you still are. And only a couple of months back, you did the bathroom and the bedroom. Great jobs, both of them, but your wife is still not happy. Do you know why? It is because you forgot to do the kitchen for her! To keep that happy glow in your family alive, it’s really a good idea to have your kitchen remodeled, according to the tastes of your wife. It’s her own “parlor”, so let her decide!…

Do These 5 Thrifty Ways To Build Your Dream Home!

Are there plans to have your own home? But, still confused about buying a house or building a house? Both are actually the same, you just need to do some special considerations before you decide. Many say, building a house from scratch is much more complicated than buying a house.

However, on the other hand, building a house can actually save you costs, you know! In addition, you also have to prepare a lot of time and energy to do everything for the realization of your dream home.

Determine the type of home according to your needs and budget

The cost plan is one of the important things that you should not skip. Start from planning the size of the land and buildings, the suitability of the shape of the home you want, and the right time of construction.

First, know the type of house you want to build . The type of house consists of land area and building area. It would be better, adjust it to the real budget you have and adjust it to your needs.

Next, you can determine the shape of the house and the plan you want . Do you want two floors, or one floor? It’s better, for starters, you just build a one-story house to reduce expenses.

Keep in mind, in determining the budget for house construction, it must be detailed and clear. Everything you have to record and record in a special table. Because, your budget plan will be your reference and guide in building a house from start to finish.

Building Material Price Survey

Even though you are not the one who built it yourself, it never hurts to conduct a field survey on the prices of materials and other building materials needed.

Each building material store charges very varied prices. You can start comparing, which store fits your budget . This is because the cost of building materials is often a source of sudden budget swelling.

Don’t forget to write down a list of price comparisons, also note where you will buy all the building materials and materials, from cement, ceramics, to paint.

Choose Cheap and Quality Building Materials

Quality does not mean it has to be expensive, expensive prices are also not necessarily quality. Currently, there are many local materials whose quality can be said to be almost the same as imported products, even better.

Therefore, you have to start figuring out the best way to buy cheap and high-quality building materials . Whether it’s local or imported, it’s not a big problem, the important thing is that it fits into your budget .

Determine a Minimalist Home Design

In addition to building materials, you also have to consider a budget -efficient home design . Starting from the layout of the room to the properties in it.

You can try a minimalist home design for building your dream home. Because, not only is it a trend and there are many enthusiasts, minimalist design also has many advantages, including:

Reduce the cost of building materials because it does not require a lot of space .
Multifunctional room . For example, the living room can be used as a family room, or the dining room can be used as one with the kitchen.
Does not require the services of an architect to design a house. Just look at examples of minimalist homes on the internet, there are many.
No need to buy more properties to fill the room.
With a minimalist home concept, then you don’t need to buy home property that you don’t need. Instead of buying useless things, it is better to allocate the remaining money to invest.

Use Builder Services ‘Wholesale’

Finally, you have to think about the services of a handyman to build your dream home. Various things need to be considered, starting from who will do the work to the time of construction work.

Find out a trustworthy builder, usually you will get the information from relatives or close relatives. Besides being trustworthy, choose those who are experienced and have an unquestionable work reputation.

There are two working systems for builders, namely the daily system and the wholesale system. If you want to reduce expenses, it’s better to choose the wholesale system .

Why?

In the daily system, that means you have to keep an eye on their work every day. If in the next few days the process looks wrong, then you have the right to terminate it right away.

Whereas in the wholesale system, you don’t need to monitor them every day. Usually there will be a foreman working on top of them (who represents your whereabouts), but again you still have to recruit people you trust so that development can run smoothly until it is finished.…