Kitchen Renovation Includes Light Planning
When it comes time for a kitchen makeover, keep in mind that any kitchen renovation should include planning for additional lighting or light restructuring. The modern kitchen has transformed into a multi-functional area where numerous activities, besides preparing meals, have become commonplace.
Many modern kitchens are now used as family gathering areas or as entertainment areas for guests. They often contain corner nooks which are utilized for meals, reading areas or playing cards with friends. Some have built in snack bars that separate another room for added openness in conversation, or stools seated around a kitchen island for chatting while preparing a meal. Adequate lighting should be a top priority in providing for these needs in any plan for a kitchen remodel.
The highest consideration in planning kitchen lighting is in its functionality. Kitchens are generally busy places where a lot of slicing, dicing, shuffling and reaching take place. Having sufficient light to accomplish the task at hand is a necessity. Installation of overhead fluorescent lights is standard kitchen issue. However, there are some other creative ways to light up work areas that may be blocked or positioned farther away from overhead light.
Under cabinet lighting is a popular addition to a modern kitchen, providing a bright illumination to work areas on countertops and around cooking areas. Dome lights or sconces positioned on either side of a sink are other popular uses of lighting fixtures to give that extra splash of brightness to a heavily used area.
Once the main lighting has been planned, consideration should move to areas where other types of light might be needed. Recessed puck lights could be a good option to illuminate a corner nook, or strip lights positioned above a breakfast bar might do the trick for those areas.
Take into consideration also, the blending of natural light with indoor lighting. Throughout the day, various amounts of outdoor light filter into a kitchen area to produce different indoor lighting needs. Placing dimmers on a couple of light sources could assist in maintaining sufficient amounts of light for various tasks during the day. This will also help in conserving energy when full artificial light isn’t needed, say on a cloudy day for instance.
Today, technology supplies a vast array of energy and cost saving lighting products, both in the bulbs themselves and in the housing fixtures. It’s never been easier to adequately provide for all the lighting needs of a kitchen while conserving energy and saving money at the same time. So, the next time kitchen remodeling is on the agenda, sufficiently plan for all its many lighting requirements before getting started.…
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.…
The Cost of Remodeling a Kitchen
If you are interested in having a contractor come in and gut your kitchen and start over, expect to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 for starters. The costs are going to depend on the size of the kitchen and the materials that are used but be prepared to budget thousands of dollars for the project. In addition to being expensive, it can be a very time consuming process that ideally should be completed before you move into the house or when you are gone on an extended vacation.
A recent survey of remodeling costs done by Remodeling Magazine estimates that a typical 10×20 kitchen low range remodel job will cost about $20,000, midrange jumps to $50,000 and a top of line upscale remodel will run over $100,000. The costs vary by regions of the country with prices on either coasts at the upper end of the spectrum. The good news is that study after study shows that much of the money you spend remodeling the kitchen (if not all) can be recovered when you go to sell the house. Updating the kitchen is one of the most important things any homeowner can do to improve the value of their property.
There are a number of factors that go into the budgeting for a kitchen remodel. Will you keep your current appliances or must all of them be replaced? Can the cabinets be salvaged by painting them or resurfacing them or do you want to rip the old ones out and start over. There are also design issues, do you want to add more space by putting an addition onto the home or by knocking out a wall. These options and many more are all possibilities that should be discussed with your contractor.
The contractor can also tell you if there are other construction concerns. If you have an older house the odds are that the home has settled over the years and the kitchen floor may no longer be level which could throw off the installation of new cabinets. Floor joists may have to be reinforced or the contractor might be required to use concrete floor leveler to even out the sub-floor which is going to add to the cost of the remodeling job. The condition of the walls after removing the cabinets can also be an issue. If the plaster is crumbling or the drywall has cracks or extensive holes, it may have to be replaced.
Plumbing is another critical component to the kitchen which can become a concern when remodeling. If you decide to move the location of the sink, build an island sink or a wet bar then water pipes will have to be run to the location along with a drain pipe. Installation of the dishwasher is another factor to consider because it needs to be hooked into the water line. Electric is another important consideration. A special 220 line needs to be run to the location of your stove and oven plus you will want to add a new circuit for other major appliances like the dishwasher and microwave.…
Tips For Planning a Home Renovation Project
If they offer a good bid, one which is affordable in the budget that one has for the renovations, then hiring them is the smart choice. If their bid is too high, one can always choose to do the project themselves.
If one is like thousands of home owners, who want to get renovations started on their homes, have the funding to do it, but do not know where to start, here are some tips for beginning a project. First, how well do you like the layout of your living room space? If your home is like many, there is probably a wall between the living room and dining room, which divides the space, but also makes the house look smaller than it is.
Consider either taking out the wall completely, if the support beams and walls of the house will allow such action, or cutting an archway in the wall, if the support beams still are necessary in the house’s design. Should the wall still be needed and an archway be the option that you choose, fill the remaining wall with shelves that can display favorite family pictures, collectable items like classic cars or figurines, or the children’s artwork from school. Either way, you have opened up the space between the rooms and given a fresh look to the house.
Second, do you live in an area of the country that sees very little cold weather, like the desert southwest or southeast? Do you have a feature in your home, like a fireplace, that you use perhaps twice to three times a year and is completely not functional in your home? If so, consider having it removed and replace it with an entertainment center.
How nice would it be to have all the stereo equipment, the big television, the gaming systems for the children, and the family computer in one place where they can all be closely monitored by you and you would not need to worry about what the kids are watching on the internet or what they are listening to in their IPODs. Shelving can be utilized here as well for DVD and CD storage, which can be customized to however many you own at that time, or think you will own. There is also a shelving option for knickknacks that you like to collect, like Precious Moments or classic cars.
Because this shelving is being built for your equipment, you can customize it to fit exactly, or you can give your television space some room to grow. It is all up to you and depending upon your end goal, it can be tailored to your exact needs.…