Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For Every Budget
Kitchen Remodeling Ideas For Every Budget
Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Great idea! Estimates vary, but most sources agree that you can expect to recover at least 75% of the remodeling cost for a kitchen through the increased resale value it contributes to your home. Whether or not you are planning to sell your home anytime soon, here are some remodeling tips to make your kitchen a room the whole family will enjoy spending time in.
Install an Island – If you do not already have a kitchen island, this is a great multi-purpose addition. Islands add counter space for food preparation or decorative objects. They add extra drawers and cabinets for storage – and you can never have too much storage! Add some stools, and you have a great casual dining surface. A kitchen island can become a family gathering point, with mom or dad chopping vegetables on the counter while the kids sit on the stools finishing homework or playing games on a laptop.
Include Plenty of Light – No matter how beautiful your kitchen is, you won’t be able to fully appreciate it without good lighting. Try to maximize the natural light in your kitchen with windows, even skylights, if possible. Skylights, or roof windows, are a wonderful way to bring light into your kitchen while preserving wall space and privacy. If it is not possible to add windows to your kitchen, make sure you have enough lighting fixtures to thoroughly illuminate the room. One popular trend is the lighting dimmer, which allows you to change the intensity of the light, creating a different mood and atmosphere.
Create a Live-In Kitchen – One current remodeling trend is the idea of the “live-in” kitchen. Most people like to be around food, and the kitchen can be a great family hang-out spot. A television, comfortable seating, and internet access can make the kitchen a perfect place to entertain friends or spend time with family. If your kitchen borders your living room or den, consider opening the space between them, perhaps even tearing down a separating wall and installing a bar in the transitional space.
Little Changes Make a Big Difference – If you do not have the budget for a full-scale remodel, there are still several small things you can do to give your kitchen a new look. Repaint your cabinets and adding new handles or knobs can give the effect of replacing your cabinets without the cost. A new sink or lighting fixture can also help to refresh your kitchen’s appearance.…
Home Renovations – Proper Communication Channels During Construction and The Unexpected
Home Renovations – Proper Communication Channels During Construction and The Unexpected
It is extremely important that you, as the owner, never, ever give any instructions during the construction (or the pricing) process to anyone other than the general contractor or his designated (in writing) representative. Here is why: If a subcontractor or workman advises you that there is a problem and he needs to make some sort of change, etc., to remedy it, you must contact the contractor immediately rather than OK the “fix” with the subcontractor or workman. Otherwise you will likely end up getting a change order (or other form of additional cost bill) later for the work.
The subcontractor and/or workman does not care whether the change will cost more or not. He is most likely being paid hourly.
His boss will be informed at some point (usually much later) that the additional work was done and that the owner OK’d it. Then the contractor will get a bill and then you will get one.
This sort of situation has cost owners lots and lots of money, has caused untold hard feelings and has generated an untold number of law suits. It is surprisingly easy to avoid but takes a degree of self discipline.
Give this serious thought because there is an excellent chance you will be faced with the situation.
The bottom line here is that if a change is needed (even one which should save you money) it is extremely important that you take the time to communicate this explicitly to your contractor in written form. This can be a hand written memo, typed correspondence, email or any similar form of correspondence which will give you a “paper trail” if there is a conflict or misunderstanding later.
It is important that you (or the contractor) describe the work to be done (again, in writing), acknowledge that it is a change and include some estimate of the cost (additive or deductive) which will be involved. At the time this will seem like a major hassle but rest assured the process will end up saving you much bigger hassles later.
Expect the unexpected! It is important that you, as the owner, realize that a renovation to any existing building is likely to contain at least some situations, items, etc., which end up costing the owner money but which nobody could have foreseen. Consequently it is vital that you keep some amount of money set aside for these eventualities. Just like there is no crystal ball which allows us to see the future there is no ‘magic’ amount or percentage of budget that will ensure covering these potential unknowns. Our observations indicate that in most cases something on the order of!0% (minimum) of the budgeted construction cost should be realistic. On significantly older homes and buildings (esp. historic situations) this figure might need to be a good bit higher. The arguments about what should have and should not have been expected or anticipated are unending. However if you define your project carefully in your agreement with the contractor these arguments will be minimized.…
12 Points to Consider When Planning Bathroom Design
12 Points to Consider When Planning Bathroom Design
With some planning you can get a lot more than just “functional” from your Bathroom. You can integrate it into your home and decor and enhance your house value. Here are the pivotal 12 points that you may consider.
Use eye-catching materials and preferably with brighter colors. This will not only give hygienic and clean feel and look but also give a sense of space and welcome.
Shop around for new and fashionable ideas and don’t just replace. New advances in technology have provided the industry with a lot of products that were never imagined a couple of decades ago.
Try to think about new trends in Bathroom functionality like having two sinks or showers so residents can share time in the room.
You can mix and match colors as long as they go and you can mach furniture and towels etc. Such design allows for fast changes in theme with out the need for an overall change.
When it comes to that overall feel in relation to users, you can opt for sleek design in neutrals if you want a masculine feel and try grey, taupe, beiges. For a more common “her and his” bathroom, add more touch of color towards satisfying the feminine aspects.
For a neutral place use whiter bathrooms that never go out of style. Try the new off-white and cream shades for a clean, relaxing atmosphere that goes with anything and is a safe-bet if you’re planning to sell.
Making the best use of space and organization gives the room a symmetrical appearance and a feel of space and airiness. Put in some cabinets for towels and linens if the space allows but take care with colors and designs.
There is so much to look for when it come to lighting but the main aspect about lighting is that it adds that depth and dimension to corners and can make a small bathroom look much bigger. You can play with lighting to create the type of mood and atmosphere that you dream of.
Mix lighting with wall-mounted mirror/s that can add depth and dimension. Take care though that mirrors need a lot attention in cleaning and de-misting. Natural light from windows is as important replace old drafty windows with larger light inviting modern ones that are also energy efficient and allow for that enlarged space feeling. Artificial and candle light and feel provides that look and feel that you may dream of and only believe exist in movies.
Not only modern that is cool, you can go for classic and retro styles if it goes with the overall design and feel of the house but prepare to be adventures and know your history.
If your bathroom size allows and you have that budget and desire then you can include lots of options like Jacuzzi, Spa, soaking tub, or walk-in shower, dressing/grooming area or a Sauna attached.
There are functional points that you have to factor in when it come to designing for special needs people and different ages that you probably need to take advice on.
What ever your priorities, needs and aspirations are you can never finish when you come to deciding the design your main bathroom component the bathroom suite for example due to the vast variety of it. The internet is vast and resourceful and I personally take most of my aspiration from what is available there.…
Home Remodeling – Use Free Resources Before You Start
Home Remodeling – Use Free Resources Before You Start
Many homeowners enjoy starting new projects that will improve their home. However, lots of home remodeling tasks require the help of someone experienced in this field, so use the resources that surround you before you start.
If you are thinking about home remodeling in order to get the house you have always wanted, there are a few places you can go for help in this endeavor. No matter how talented you are at planning or construction, you will probably need help or inspiration at some point. Find out the best places to go to get assistance with your projects.
Most home remodeling projects require certain materials and tools, many of which you might not have. This means that a trip to the local home improvement store is probably in order. While there, you should ask any questions you have of the sales staff, as many are trained to answer queries from homeowners. If they do not know the answer, they can usually point you in the direction of someone who does, or at least offer a manual with tips for completing your task.
You can also stay at your house and still get your questions answered, simply by doing an Internet search. There are various websites and free e-books that teach the steps for different projects. Some simply offer basic tips for getting started while others go in-depth so that you can start from scratch. Use the Internet as a free resource for completing the home remodeling tasks that you need to do.
One of the most popular ways to learn new things is reading a book. Check out your local bookstore or library to find helpful books on the task you want to complete. Just like Internet sites, you will probably find that some books teach every step for various projects, while others just give a general overview that lets you know whether you should even attempt the project you are considering. Reading a book is a great, inexpensive or even free way to ensure that you know what you are doing before you get started, possibly saving you the money of having to start an unsuccessful task all over.
You are probably excited to start modeling your house the way you want it, but planning a bit before you start is a smart move. Jumping into a project that ends up failing can cost you money, since both your materials and time will be wasted. Plan to succeed by researching as much as possible first, consulting the various free resources that you are surrounded by. Only then can you expect to get he results you want from your home remodeling project.…
Popularity of Plastic Fence Posts
Popularity of Plastic Fence Posts
Plastic fence posts also known as vinyl or PVC fence posts offer a new way to fence your property that is more durable than wood. Plastic fence posts can handle all kinds of weather, insects, and maintenance whereas wood fence posts can begin to rot after becoming wet repeatedly, termites love to eat wood, and then there is the maintenance that will need to be done all the time due to broken posts or panels.
Plastic posts are truly durable, come in a wide array of colors, and are created in the same dimensions as wood posts. The only complaint seen with plastic posts is the fact that the color can fade and have a bumpy texture after years of wear of tear; however, many improvements have been made by manufacturers to rid their posts of this problem. Today, more and more individuals are turning to posts; therefore, the improvements had to be made in order to keep satisfied customers. In fact wood is no longer considered stylish as the world is going green.
Now, you are more than likely wondering if you should choose plastic fence posts over other materials. Well, let’s look at the advantages of plastic. First, plastic fencing is weather resistant without any type of treatment and you do not have to worry about the posts rotting or rusting as you see with other materials. This may be hard to believe, but posts are inexpensive when you consider the cost of wood or metal fencing that will need more maintenance than plastic. Before you decide on the type of material, you desire for your fence, you will need to also add in how long the plastic fence will last over other materials. Yes, metal will last quite a while, but it will rust, thus more in maintenance costs.
Now, you know that posts are maintenance free and durable, but one other attraction is the new designs and colors that have hit the market over the last couple of years. With plastic fence posts, you can create a beautiful fence to protect your flower garden or you can use this fencing for your cattle ranch. As you can plainly see, posts have come a long way and now can be used for all kinds of fencing needs whether you want a beautiful design or a plain fence to keep the animals on your farm. And since you avoid wood, you are doing the right thing, environmentally.…
Home Ventilation: Why More Fresh Air Intake Is Better at Home
Home Ventilation: Why More Fresh Air Intake Is Better at Home
Natural home ventilation are sometimes forgotten when building homes because they rely too much on artificial ventilation systems more particularly when they have air conditioners installed. Don’t trap the air inside your home let it circulate, release warm air at home, then take cool air outside. Because if you do, here are some of the effects of maximizing ventilation at home:
Minimize Indoor Air Pollution
As we breathe, carbon dioxide comes out carbon dioxide comes in. If we only have a few ventilation systems inside our homes there will be no way carbon dioxide will go out of the house, and we will only have few oxygen to inhale, therefore we find it hard breathing inside our homes.
Aside from carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide will also be a problem. Carbon monoxide is like a silent assassin, you will never know if you have inhaled it but you will experience drastic effects when you did. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are frequent headaches, nausea, vertigo, and you feel weak.
Another problem of homes without ventilation is are dust, tobacco smoke, pesticides, household chemicals that may be toxic when inhaled, some can even cause cancer, tuberculosis, and other deadly disease that could have been prevented if your home is properly ventilated.
Controlled Humidity
A very humid house can help grow mold and mildew fast. A mold outbreak can cause thousands of dollars to treat compared to remodeling a home that is made to increase the ventilation of the home.
Insects that enjoy very humid places will be pestering your home. Dust mites and cockroaches likes humid places. Dust mites are irritating if you have one at home. Family members allergic to dust mites will have severe problems. Cockroaches are major carriers of disease, it’s very dangerous if you have children in the house.
Homes will lower humidity than what is required can affect the home. Your house will decrease its quality like cracks in walls and wood floors. One major problem of homes with low humidity is static electricity.
Family members will have drier skin and experience nose and throat irritation often.
Reduced Island Heat Effect
This occurrence happens when one area is warmer than the other areas in a certain location. More ventilation means the air indoors are almost equal to the air outside. And when we reduce heat, we minimize the need to use artificial ventilation system and inhale a fresher air.…
Three Top Tips for Garden Design With Poppies
Three Top Tips for Garden Design With Poppies
Poppies are one of the world’s most loved plants, and with so many different specimens to fill your flowerbeds with, it is not surprising that they have become an essential component for the garden. Whilst you may simply like to scatter seeds and allow them to germinate and flower at their own rate, using poppies in a more constructive garden design method is easy. And if you are looking to really create vibrant flair in your garden, there are a few top tips to follow.
1. Sow Poppies in Seed Trays
Whilst it is very easy to sow poppies straight into the garden border, if you want to manage your planting design a little more carefully it is a good idea to germinate specimens in seed trays. Whilst this will take a little more time and nurturing it will allow you to grow a specific number of healthy and strong plants. You can then plant poppies out in the exact places that you want them, grouping and interchanging specimens as you see fit. It is also a great way of garden designing if you are using several colors, allowing you to carefully select complimentary hues to plant next to each other.
2. Stay Specific to Your Needs
It can often be tempting to get carried away and buy and sow many more seed varieties than you need. Before buying your seeds carefully look through all the poppy types that are on offer and work out exactly what you need. Have a clear vision of how you want your garden border to look, thinking carefully about the heights, colors, and impact that you want to create. Only buy poppies that will fulfill your requirements so that you don’t end up with a clash of plants which don’t meet your initial brief. You can of course buy other poppy seeds as well; just don’t let your eagerness incorporate them into your clear design. Simply use these seeds somewhere else in the garden.
3. Choose Color Carefully
Color is very important when it comes to planting poppy seeds and it is vital that you choose the correct hues to not only compliment each other but compliment the rest of your garden. If your garden is a complete collage of color then it doesn’t matter so much if you include lots of different shades. If you have a tropical garden border then stay away from whites and pinks and choose oranges, purples, and reds. If you’re looking to create an elegant and chic style then using one white poppy paired with another color such as pink or purple is ideal. Meanwhile, if you’re creating a feminine garden, choose a number of poppies with the same colors, allowing for an explosion of pink.
By putting a little time and effort into your poppy designs you can easily create stunning displays. And with Papaver somniferum poppies on lasting a year, you can change your garden’s palette every single year to suit your mood, allowing your outside oasis to be a constantly changing environment.…